Lightning destroys Pasco stilt house Saturday evening

GULF OF MEXICO (FOX 13) - An iconic Pasco County stilt home in the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Cotee River, is a total loss after apparently being struck by lightning, according to  Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The stilt home, known locally as the American flag stilt home, or Stilt House No. 8, caught fire around 8 p.m. Saturday.

said the fire happened around

Pasco County Fire Rescue was assisted by the Pasco Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Port Richey Fire Rescue, and Palm Harbor Fire. 

There were no injuries reported and no one was inside the stilt home at the time of the fire.

Boaters in the area were asked to use caution due to the possibility of floating debris in the water.