Chaos erupted in South Austin Wednesday night as a lightning bolt struck a gas station, triggering fears of fire and smoke. The Austin Fire Department raced to the Chevron station at 4912 Monterey Oaks Blvd after reports came in at approximately 8:38 p.m., as confirmed by CBS Austin.

Upon arrival, firefighters scoured the area for the origin of the smoke, which was later found to be emanating from an electric panel within the building. The department swiftly acted to ventilate the structure to dissipate any potential hazards. Luckily, the incident didn't escalate into an inferno or cause any injuries.

Austin Fire Department’s X feed cautioned locals to avoid the area during the commotion, updating the public that the station's crew had returned to service after handling the situation. The post emphasized the grounded source of the smoke, sidelining earlier fears of a more extensive fire.

While the unexpected strike posed a significant threat, especially in a location rife with flammable substances, the swift response of Austin's fire brigade managed to keep the situation under control. Residents breathed a collective sigh of relief as the emergency crews cleared the scene, reaffirming the readiness and efficiency of local emergency services during sudden natural occurrences.