The Natrona County Fire Protection District helped extinguish two lightning-ignited blazes on Monday and later met with Vista West residents about a satellite fire station west of Casper, Chief Clyde Young said Tuesday.

The Fire Protection District assisted the Casper Fire-EMS Department in putting out a structure fire at 2821 Cherokee that was reported about 3 p.m., Young said.

About 10 minutes later, the Fire Protection District responded to a call on Platte River Road east of Casper, he said.

Lightning struck the peak of the roof and started a fire that extended into the interior of the attic, Young said.

An elderly woman who lives in the house reported that she felt the house shake and began to notice smoke, he said.

She was the only person at the residence and was not injured, Young said.

By the time firefighters arrived, smoke had spread throughout the house, he said. The Evansville and Casper Fire-EMS departments also responded.

The fire caused between $60,000 and $70,000 damage, Young said.

Monday evening, Young and the board of directors of the Natrona County Fire Prevention District met with residents of Vista West subdivisions to address their concerns about the need for a satellite fire station on the west side of Casper.

Former legislator Dick Sadler recently spoke to the Natrona County Commission, criticizing the county's efforts to build a morgue that would be attached to a fire station on the east side.

County residents west of Casper, who outnumber those on the east side, need a satellite station more, Sadler said.

Young said that the Fire Protection District is still looking for property on the west side for a station.

He said he hopes the district will be able to build a satellite station there sometime within the next two years.

Reporter Tom Morton can be reached at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@casperstartribune.net.