16,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded; Homes Damaged

Several homes in Central Florida were damaged by fires caused by some of the 16,000 lightning strikes associated with Tuesday's passing storms, according to Local 6 News.

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Lightning was blamed for destroying a 12,000 square-foot mansion-style home located in the Baldwin Park neighborhood in Winter Park, Fla., Tuesday night.

Firefighters were called to the home just after 10 p.m. after reports of flames and smoke coming from the home's roof.

"Witnesses said there were significant lightning strikes in the area," Local 6 reporter Jessica D'Onofrio said.

During the fire, part of the structure collapsed.

"We immediately went to a defensive attack for firefighter safety in dealing with roof collapse," Winter Park Fire Rescue Chief Steve Painter said. "We did have part of the roof and some of the attachments to the roof collapse. We didn't want anyone hurt or killed."

Local 6 News reported that the home was just finished and workers were putting the final touches on it for a family to move in.

"It is something you can't describe," Parkland Homes spokesman Hal George said. "It is devastating. The homeowners have put a lot of work in this. Everyone has for years and to see something like this we are at a loss for words."

The structure is one of several homes in the area to be hit in recent days.

No one was injured in the Winter Park lightning strike.

Lightning was also being blamed for another nearly destroying another home in Pine Hills, Fla., Tuesday.

Firefighters said a lightning strike hit the back of a home on Sarazen Drive.

No one was home when the house was hit, but the fire has left the family homeless, Local 6 News reported.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.