Lightning causes two fires in Cape Coral area

Lightning strikes ignited two fires in the Cape Coral area.

Chiquita Boulevard fire

The Cape Coral Fire Department said this fire was right on Chiquita Boulevard, near Jacaranda Parkway.

No nearby homes are in danger or are threatened, according to the Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Forestry Center.

As of noon, the fire was estimated to have burned 40 acres with 95% containment.

The Cape Coral Fire Department said while the columns of smoke from this fire were initially quite large, the rain did help to suppress it.

The Florida Forest Service has been helping make access so brush trucks can get through to make sure the fire is out.

Currently, a good part of Jacaranda Parkway and Chiquita Boulevard is blocked off.

Cape Coral Fire blamed lighting for igniting the fire.

Pompano Avenue fire

The Pine Island Fire Rescue said another fire was around two acres in size.

The Pine Island fire chief confirmed that no one was hurt.

The fire chief said that all available crews were dispatched to the fire and were able to quickly contain it.

There were three potential structures in danger, but crews strategically placed their engines in between.

The Cape Coral Fire Department also said the cause was lightning.

Some neighbors were outside when it struck.

“Basically, I was just standing in my yard, and I didn’t know where a lightning bolt came down,” a neighbor said, “and I literally, my honest reaction was oh, like I screamed, [expletive]. And then basically it was talking to one of the neighbors and all sudden we seen smoke out of the wood line, so we both call 911.”

This fire is now out.