North Collier Fire Rescue District and Naples Fire-Rescue Department responded to a house fire that was caused by a lightning strike in North Naples Sunday.
According to the fire district, crews responded to a fire at a family’s home off East Avenue near the corner with Ridge Drive. The scene of the fire is north of Pine Ridge Road and west of Goodlette-Frank Road.
The family had safely evacuated the home by the time crews arrived on scene. The dispatch call was received around 6:30 p.m.
Naples Fire-Rescue Department confirms a lightning strike hit the roof of a home, causing the flames.
Jorge Aguilera, the assistance fire chief for Naples Fire-Resce, said it was tough to put the fire out because it was a large home, and rain did not help as much as crews had hoped.
“Anytime that wet stuff falls from the sky, it helps,” Aguilera said. “But this was a really big fire, so it might have suppressed it. But it didn’t really help things.”
Aguiera said the family plans to stay in a hotel Monday night, and they are thankful everyone is safe. But firefighters say the home is likely unlivable.
See video of the flames on the Naples Fire-Rescue Department Facebook page.