Home of ex-Seahawks star Earl Thomas destroyed in fire: reports

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The Texas home of former Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas burned down on Thursday after reportedly being struck by lightning in what officials say is a "total loss," according to multiple reports. 

Thomas, who last played with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, was home with two family members at his residence in Orange, Texas, when he heard a "popping sound" and saw smoke in the house early Thursday evening, Orange Fire Department Deputy Chief Payton Smith told FOX4 Beaumont.

Earl Thomas of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 20, 2019. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Images of the home showed a raging fire that began near the southeast corner of Thomas’ home, 12NewsNow reported. Officials told the outlet that fire crews were forced to pull back because of intense flames and smoke and worked in "defensive mode" to get the fire under control.

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No cause has been confirmed, but fire officials are reportedly not ruling out the possibility of lightning striking the house. 

Smith told FOX4 that half of the home collapsed and that the house is a "total loss" after Thursday’s fire. 

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Free safety Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the sidelines during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Oct. 23, 2016. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Thomas, a Super Bowl champion and seven-time Pro Bowler, was released by the Raven in 2020 after getting into a fight with a teammate during offseason