Residents concerned after lightning strikes spark fires in Lee County

Luana Miller lives in Cape Coral. She said she’s taking care of her brother’s home while he is in Chicago. It’s next door to hers.

Lightning struck three of the palm trees in the backyard. Leaving damage all over the backyard.

If the lightning bolt had hit just a yard closer, it could have destroyed the home.

And the timing couldn’t be worse.

Miller said this is the second lightning strike to hit the property in 2 weeks.

“They just cancelled his insurance and yesterday they did the 4.0 and he needs a new roof and we have been here 13 years ,” said Miller.

In North Fort Myers, Bayshore Fire said lightning struck 2 trees.

The family who live on the property said they didn’t even know there was a fire until firefighters came knocking on their door.

Laurie Seitz and her daughter had to gather the animals that were on the field when they saw the flames.

“We had the horses, we had the cows, there were goats out. There were chickens and the ducks, everything was out except for the pigs,” said Seitz daughter,” said Lauren Carnduff.

Luckily, they were able to get their animals in the stables quickly.

Fire officials were able to contain the fire before it spread to the property.