A lightning strike ignited a fire that burned down a house in Marion County early Thursday morning, according to fire officials.

  • Lightning caused fire that burned down Marion County home
  • 2 people and a dog escaped the home
  • 2 other dogs are unaccounted for

The Marion County Fire Rescue said that at about 5:05 a.m., a bolt of lightning struck a Summerfield house on 700 block of SE 147th Street.

Firefighters said that when they got there, the house was surrounded in flames. More than 20 firefighters battled the blaze.

"The severe weather across the county early this morning (caused the fire)... at 3, 3:30 this morning," said James Lucas of Marion Fire Rescue. "The homeowner described a loud bang and a shake to their house."

Two people and a dog escaped the house, and no firefighters were injured. Two other dogs are missing, authorities said.

"It was the scariest storm I've ever experienced in Florida," said Flo Molina, who lives nearby.

Fire Rescue said it received three calls for lightning strikes — the other two happened in a backyard and another at a home, which they were able to save.​

The American Red Cross has been called in to help.