[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