An Orange County homeowner said his home caught on fire after it was struck by lightning on Tuesday.
The fire happened around 1:30 p.m. on Shadetree Road and lasted about 90 minutes. Dozens of firefighters worked to put out the flames, spraying 6,000 gallons of water.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Multiple pets died inside of the home, however crews were able to rescue a chicken and multiple dogs. Even more pets, including a flock of turkeys, were safe outside from the flames
Officials say both the home’s construction, and the afternoon heat, made this fire so hard to deal with.
Capt. Scott Hackler of the Efland Fire Department told WRAL News that lightning was in the area when the fire began, but the precise cause of the fire was still under investigation.
Elsewhere in Orange County, some trees and a low-hanging utlitliy line were blown down in Carrboro.
In Raleigh, a tree brought down power lines along Falls of Neuse Road.
During the noon hour, quarter-sized hail was seen falling in Nash County.
By 5 p.m., WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said, "I think the threat is over despite Samson and Wayne still being in the severe thunderstorm watch. Down east toward the coast, there's still some severe thunderstorm warnings, or at least have been recently, but Raleigh's out of it and the rest of the viewing area is as well."