house fire in poinciana

[mrgumwood]

off baily trail backing to the golf course. completely up in flames approx 8:45 tonight probably from a lightning hit during tonight's storm.

[Donna]

OMG..

I just saw the flames, driving down Buena Vista....We were at the Lighthouse Restaurant, we saw the black smoke from there, and saw all the Fire Engines..Was any one hurt??

[renielarson]

From what I hear, no one was home, thank God.

[chelsea24]

OMG! We just got back from there. Our neighbors saw it break out. It's completely gutted. The inside and roof were till burning when we left. No people, thank God. It's just awful. They are in my prayers.

[SteveFromNY]

We heard the engines and drove by - I couldn't believe how quick it went up. In the few minutes we were there it went from the roof through the ceiling - all of a sudden we could see the rooms light up inside.
I am utterly amazed at how quick it burned.
Thank God no one was inside.

[The Gray Hog]

It looked to us like there were two fires. One in Poinc and one on the other side of the lake. Anyone know about this second fire?

[Floridagal]

I just came back from there and it is horrible. I am always afraid when we get lightening that something would happen. My husband said he thought there were two houses but we couldn't be sure.

My prayers go out to those people.

[samhass]

Wonder if it was frame or concrete block?

[Floridagal]

I believe it was block. I think all premier homes are block.

[samhass]

I wonder if the gas line blew? I think they are in the attic and there was a major problem when lightening hit the home. What ever happened to the settlements we were supposed to get regarding that same issue? There was a lawsuit because something was flawed in the gas piping in the attic.

[chelsea24]

No, the house was not frame. Cement block, beautiful home. I still can't get over it. It really made me feel ill. I can't imagine those poor people.

[benj]

From a wannabe, I know Fl is the lightning capital of the world, but how often does things like this happen in a given year. Is this why I see whole house surge suppressors advertised?

[Sidney Lanier]

Yes, benj, this is why you see whole house surge suppressors advertised by the electric company; we had them install it plus the auxiliary small surge suppressors inside the house. But I doubt that even this would help if there were a direct lightning hit, and yes indeed, Florida is the lightning capital.... Have no idea how often; this is the first time we've ever heard of it, but we've owed in TV for less than a year. What a terrible story; our hearts go out to the owners, though gratefully no one was hurt.

[jtdraig]

I've been here since 2005, August. In that time, we have seen at least three houses sustain a direct hit from lightening and go up in flames like that home in Poinciana tonight. We live in Liberty Park so watched the house go up and it was clear that the gaslines in the attic were exploding. The house also went up in an unbelievable short period of time, literally minutes. We went over there only because my sister-in-law lives in the same vicinity and we were concerned for her. It's a heartbreaking sight. Talked to some people who saw the lightening strike the house and it was a strong, bright bolt.

That said, lightening is a part of the summer thunderstorms that are active in Florida. Many homes have lightening rods installed and no matter where you live whether it is Vermont or Florida, you should have a surge protection and some kind of grounding system.

We don't regret our decision to come here and we really don't think that lightening should deter anyone. You just have to be responsible and take preventive measures. Lightening, microbursts, tornados, etc. are a fact of life no matter where you live. New Hampsire just had a major tornado so no one is really exempt.

[Shirleevee]

My husband is in TV and we live in Poinciana. He called me to say that something terrible must have happened. Thank God no one was injured.


Shirleevee

[Donna]

I am sick to my stomach thinking of those poor people coming home, to find no house..

I could not even imagine, the devastation they are feeling..What do they do?? Every memory gone in a flash, nothing but the clothes they are wearing..OMG..Thank God they were not there..

I wish them all God's Blessings during this very difficult time..Lets all keep them in our prayers..

[Best Mom]

The Sun has a front page article. It says the couple were home but exited and watched it burn from their front yard. Despite losing their home, they felt sorry for their friend, Mr Thompson. Mr Thompson lost his beloved classic car which was stored in their garage.

The article has many pictures and goes on two pages. There were many more details given.
It is all very sad. My prayers go out to those people.

[samhass]

We had lightning rods installed all over the house. The roof rods are all copper/copper while the lanai is aluminum/aluminun (rod to grounding wire). Whole house surge went in at the same time. The entire job was inspected by a UL underwriter inspector. We felt this was an important safeguard for the house. Some say it's just baloney. It ran around 3K for everything. We tried to lightning protect the huge oak in our yard and hired an arborist to come up from Plant City to inspect it. He thought the tree was dying and advised not putting rods in it. We called Eric Knudson of TV to look at it. He says it's not dying. The jury is out on that. We had a crew come in and spend a day taking out old wood and moss in an attempt to lighten the load on the tree. We probably will not get lightening protection put on the tree. As for the house, I will never regret getting the rods put on the roof. Even our satellite dish has a rod on it. Considering the gas lines in the attic, I feel a little safer.

[redwitch]

I'm just grateful no one was injured. The Wrobels have a wonderful attitude about their loss. Even so, I feel so very bad for them. To lose your life's memories in just a few minutes is so very painful.

Sam, I think you've done the right thing in protecting your home in such a manner. It may be a tad overboard to some, but just the peace of mind has got to make it totally worthwhile. Before moving here, I took pictures of many objects that were precious to me because of their memories. I've decided I'm making a copy of all my disks of photos and storing them with my documents in a fireproof box. That way, if something does happen, I'll still have the important things.

[ejp52]

It is very sad to lose all your dreams and possessions,in such a tragic manner,but fortunately they were able to get out. They can rebuild and go on,thankfully they weren't asleep and unable to react fast and get out.
Running the gas lines in the ceiling is strange,I wonder why they weren't placed in the ground like up North,would have been much safer,its rather unnerving to know they are exposed in the roof. :dontknow:

[scottke]

Are gas lines in everyone's roof or just the premier homes? That's very scary. Those poor people.

[travelstiles]

This is a very sad story, and we are relieved that no one was injured.
Recently two of our neighbors had lightning/grounding rods installed on their roofs (ran about $2500 I think). I haven't seen them on any of the buildings owned by The Villages, such as the rec centers, etc., and wonder how effective they would be in a really powerful direct hit like the one last night?
Does anyone have professional knowledge or experience with this, and is there anything else that can be done to protect the gas lines in the attic from such a strike?

[tucson]

The fire dept. told me not to put lightning rods on my house. They said it'll attract the lightning.

[MSNPA]

My husband told me today he is pretty sure the gas lines are in the attics/roofs on all houses that have gas. This is scary. The storm last evening was bad. I feel so sorry for this couple who lost their house and all their possessions. This tragedy makes me realize once again you just never know when something can happen.

[The Gray Hog]

Thankfully, there are many homes all electric in TV. We purchased one in Hadley.

[ouma1938]

My heart goes out to the poor people who lost their home and all those memories. I am still going to move to TV whenever we sell the house but I do worry about lightening strikes. And my biggest fear is something like that happening and not being there to get my pets out. I just couldn't bear it. I pray the family in Ponciana didn't have pets in the house.

[barb1191]

We have vaulted ceilings throughout our patio villa, and gas. Where would the gas line be located if there's no attic?

So devastating for the family to see their home and everything dissolve into ashes before their eyes. Thank goodness nobody was hurt. One consolation is that fortunately they live in a community where they will be offered all kinds of help from caring compassionate people in TV.

barb

[SteveFromNY]

The fire dept. told me not to put lightning rods on my house. They said it'll attract the lightning.


Go look at the fire house on Buena Vista and Bonita. There is a lightning protection system installed on that building. Multiple rods on the side buildings and on the center structure.
On the corner of Morse & Bonita is an electric substation, also protected by lightning rods.
Benjamin Franklin invented the concept 250 years ago, and they have been in use since.
Google lightning rods and check wikipedia for information. Ask the fireman why they are on the fire house.
The objective is to route the lightning around the structure via rods and wires into the ground.
All skyscrapers have heavy duty lightning protection systems.
I was pretty unconvinced they worked until I did this little bit of research. Even if they do not prevent strikes, they can help route the charge around your roof and into the ground.
Part of the reason for the debate is the simple fact that it is VERY difficult to do controlled tests with a substance as unpredictable as lightning.
As a coincidental aside, the next door neighbor of the house that was hit yesterday has rods. If they really attract the lightning why did the house that got hit get hit?
I think am going to have them installed.

[Best Mom]

I remember about 3 years ago that a large house in here was struck by lightning. It also turned into a fire. That house had lightning rods on the both ends of the house but the lightning struck in the middle of the roof.

[samhass]

We have multiple rods all over the roof. I'm guessing there is one about every eight feet...including the middle.

[trumbull]

I have a question, we made our first lifestyle visit back in 9/06 and decided this was the place. One night while we were waiting to have dinner at Cane Garden we witnessed a lighting storm that hit a house on Golden Ridge. The result was that the house was totally destroyed. Several days later I played Cane Garden and noticed the home. It was very sad to see all the damage, the owners were out of town at the time.

Was this lighting storm hit on Golden Ridge or Sunset Ridge or on another street.

[thegreenerside]

I have a question, we made our first lifestyle visit back in 9/06 and decided this was the place. One night while we were waiting to have dinner at Cane Garden we witnessed a lighting storm that hit a house on Golden Ridge. The result was that the house was totally destroyed. Several days later I played Cane Garden and noticed the home. It was very sad to see all the damage, the owners were out of town at the time.

Was this lighting storm hit on Golden Ridge or Sunset Ridge or on another street.


The house you are speaking of was rebuilt and 6 months later destroyed by the tornado. The house is on its third life.

[trumbull]

Is the area around Golden Ridge a high point in terms of elevation. We have been their three times, staying twice in Sunset Pointe and like that location the best, very centrally located.

[Best Mom]

The house you are speaking of was rebuilt and 6 months later destroyed by the tornado. The house is on its third life.



Wow What are the odds on that happening to the same house?? I really feel for the owners.

I have the same question as Trumbull.

[twynsmom]

We had lightning rods installed all over the house. The roof rods are all copper/copper while the lanai is aluminum/aluminun (rod to grounding wire). Whole house surge went in at the same time. The entire job was inspected by a UL underwriter inspector. We felt this was an important safeguard for the house. Some say it's just baloney. It ran around 3K for everything. We tried to lightning protect the huge oak in our yard and hired an arborist to come up from Plant City to inspect it. He thought the tree was dying and advised not putting rods in it. We called Eric Knudson of TV to look at it. He says it's not dying. The jury is out on that. We had a crew come in and spend a day taking out old wood and moss in an attempt to lighten the load on the tree. We probably will not get lightening protection put on the tree. As for the house, I will never regret getting the rods put on the roof. Even our satellite dish has a rod on it. Considering the gas lines in the attic, I feel a little safer.


:agree: If this helps with a better nights sleep, why not!!!

Just curious... Do you get a "break" on your home owners insurance when you install this extra protection?

[retiredguy]

For those of you who have been living in TV awhile, I wonder if you may know how many lightning strikes have struck homes in TV? Or is it just the location of Poinciana?

[samhass]

Twyn, I'm not sure about the insurance break. I never mentioned it to the insurance company. Maybe I will!!





:agree: If this helps with a better nights sleep, why not!!!

Just curious... Do you get a "break" on your home owners insurance when you install this extra protection?

[retiredguy]

The reason behind my question about lightning strike stats in Poinciana in particular, is because we were considering a home there. I can't imagine going out one day and coming home to that. Nobody can warn you that your house will be struck. A tornado gives more warning that that. Sorry, but that scenario and those poor folks in that home really got to us.

[twynsmom]

Twyn, I'm not sure about the insurance break. I never mentioned it to the insurance company. Maybe I will!!






Sam, let me know what they say, if/when you mention it to them.
Thanks

[samhass]

Will do, It will be later in the week. My plate is pretty full right now.

[Rokinronda]

Sam, You probably will get a break! Any protective measures you install after purchase should result in insurance savings including lightening supression and fire/burglary alarms.

[jtdraig]

I've been trying to figure out why lightening seems to favor Poinciana so much. It doesn't seem any higher than anything else. There are no unusual geologic formations in this area. In fact, Poinciana is just a nice place filled with really nice people. It's a real mystery.

[samhass]

jtdragon, Isn't it odd that lightning hit that house if the one next door was protected? I did read that the rods attract lightning. Seems it wasn't so in this case.

[SteveFromNY]

Maybe the one hit had a higher roof line? I think the rods increase the risk of getting hit because it increases height of the structure. If the roof plus rods is lower than the roof that got hit, that could explain it. Then again, since it is lightning, maybe it's just really unpredictable.

[F16 1UB]

To Install Lightning Rods or No Lightning Rods Hmmm???? Fire occurred 7/25/08. Vintage cars in garage were stored for a friend. No injuries.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/F16-1UB/LightningFireTV003.jpg



http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/F16-1UB/LightningFireTV002.jpg



http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/F16-1UB/LightningFireTV001.jpg

[SteveFromNY]

Based on the pictures you'd think the concrete block part of the house was pretty salvageable. But closer inspection (we rode by) showed extensive cracking in the concrete especially around the garage walls. Unfortunately, that whole structure will probably have to be razed. It's really a shame what can happen in literally a matter of just a few minutes.

[Russ_Boston]

F16 - Thanks for the update with pics. Must be devastating emotionally!

[Peggy D]

OMG This is just incredible to see. Thank goodness no one was hurt.


Thanks F16 for the pictures

[scottke]

Wow - what devastation. I can't imagine going through that.