Cabin owned by Rep. Ron Kind (D) destroyed by fire

MELROSE, Wis. (AP) -- A western Wisconsin cabin owned by Congressman Ron Kind is destroyed by fire.

Authorities suspect a lightning strike started the fire Thursday, May 3rd at the cabin in the Jackson County town of Franklin. Four fire departments responded to the fire, but the cabin was nearly engulfed when they arrived.

The 3rd Congressional District Democrat spent part of Thursday in western Wisconsin, surveying damage from a strong spring storm and talking with residents and emergency personnel.

Kind says fortunately no one was in the cabin when it caught fire.