A lightning strike caused a tree to collapse Saturday evening on a classic 1950 Chevy and pickup truck parked at the Gaffney residence of Bethel Baptist Church Rev. J.W. Sanders Sr. Rubye Sanders was in the dining room Saturday evening working on a remodeling project when lightning struck near her house.

While the storm didn't last long, the damage left in it wake has lingered for days at her Buford Street residence.

A classic 1950 Chevy and pickup truck were demolished when a lightning strike caused a large tree to fall on the vehicles. The Chevy belonged to the father of her husband, Bethel Baptist Church Rev. J.W. Sanders Sr.

"I was talking with someone inside the house about new hardwood floors we are having put down in our sitting room and dining area," Sanders said. "I heard the loud sound of lightning near the house. I just went...oooooh."

The top part of the tree is still leaning against the corner of the dining room. The 1950 Chevy and pickup truck remained buried under the tree on Monday morning.

Both vehicles are a total loss.

Rev. Sanders planned to contact his insurance company to file a claim on the property damages to home and vehicles. He was out of town last weekend at a Santee Cooper business meeting.

The family's primary vehicles were not affected by the storm.

Rev. Sanders had driven his Mercedes to attend the Santee Cooper meeting. His wife made what turned out to be a good decision with her vehicle.

"I normally park my car under the shade at the tree that was hit by the storm," Rubye Sanders said. "When I got home Saturday evening, I parked my car beside a tree closer to the front entrance. I'm just thankful no one was hurt."