Ocala firefighters responded to a local residence on Tuesday night after lightning struck an attached garage and started a fire.
Shortly after 7:25 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units consisting of Engines 1, 3, 4, and 5, Rescue 5, Tower 1, Battalion Chiefs 11 and 22, and a Safety Officer responded to a home located in the 2000 block of NE 11th Place due to reports of a structure fire.
OFR stated that the call came in as a thunderstorm made its way through Ocala. While firefighters traveled through a torrential downpour on their way to the residence, they were informed by dispatch that a lightning strike had ignited a fire on the attached garage of the home.
The residents were able to safely evacuate their home, though they informed OFR that their pet cats were still inside.
Engine 5 arrived at the single-story home, and crews observed moderate smoke. They made their way to the garage to access the attic space, and flames were spotted coming from a vent fan, according to OFR.
Crews from Engine 1 used a ladder to gain access to the roof, and Tower 1’s crew members secured the keys to a vehicle in the garage that was blocking access to the attic. Once the vehicle was moved, firefighters utilized a hose line to combat the flames in the attic.
According to OFR, the flames were contained to the attic, and the fire was soon extinguished.
All cats inside the home were accounted for and safe. There were no injuries reported.
The Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to the home.