CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A fire occurred in a residential area of Clay County Monday afternoon after firefighters say it was sparked by a lightning strike. This resulted in significant damage to the roof and inside the home.
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“To hear that crack, you knew something was hit,” a neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous said. “And I was thinking it was a tree, and I was hoping it was a tree and then to see my neighbor’s home, go up in flames. It’s heartbreaking; it makes you tear up.”
Thunderstorms rolled into Northeast Florida this afternoon. Action News Jax First Alert Weather says about 50 lightning strikes went through Orange Park between 4:30 and 4:40 this afternoon.
The Clay County Fire Rescue got a call about a fire at a home off James Street around that same time. The spokesperson said it appears it was sparked by a lightning strike to the attic.
The anonymous neighbor said she saw the whole thing unfold, and it was terrifying to watch.
“It spread exponentially and increasingly, not only width wise, but height wise,” the anonymous neighbor said. “And it just was a very intense fire for our firefighters to be able to get under control.”
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A total of four engines, three rescues, and three command vehicles rushed to contain the fire and prevent further damage to nearby properties.
The firefighters were on scene for more than two hours. Fire rescue said two people and two dogs were inside at the time of the fire, but everyone made it out safely and no injuries were reported.
The anonymous neighbor said the family recently moved in, and the community is coming together to help.
“And we want them to not only feel the love, but to have a secure home for themselves as well as their pets,” the anonymous said. “We are in it for the long haul with them, whether we’re offering up our homes, our RVs we’re going to take care of them.”
The Red Cross came out to help the family as well.
The house is currently deemed unsafe to live in.
As of now, the Fire Marshal’s office is actively investigating the cause and extent of the fire. Further details will be released as they become available.
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