Lightning strike sparks Spring Hill house fire: HCFR

SPRING HILL, Fla. - A couple that survived a house fire caused by a lightning strike in Hernando County Monday said they were saved by their smoke detectors, which went off in the middle of the night.

Carl and Lynn Roa said they heard the lightning strike at about 9 p.m. Sunday. A few hours later, while they lie in bed, their smoke alarms started beeping.

Firefighters say the home sustained significant damage in the fire. Image is courtesy of Hernando County Fire Rescue. 

They pushed their way through smoke-filled hallways to get out of their home, which is in the 5000 block of Brackenwood Dr in Spring Hill.

"It was just a lot of smoke, a lot of haze, and it was tough to breathe. We got out of the house as soon as we could, and then when we came out, that's when we saw the flames coming out of the roof," said Carl Roa.

Despite the danger, Lynn Roa ran back into the home to save her pets: a dog, frog and lizard.

Firefighters say lightning struck the home earlier on Sunday evening. Image is courtesy of Hernando County Fire Rescue. 

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Hernando County Fire Rescue reported having to deal with fire shooting from the roof of the garage when crews arrived at the scene.

Firefighters, who agreed the fire was likely caused by a lightning strike, said they were able to get the blaze under control quickly, but the home suffered significant damage. 

"We were just very lucky because of the smoke alarm. If that didn't go off after the lightning hit, we wouldn't have known that anything was happening," Lynn Roa said.

Firefighters say lightning caused a house fire in Spring Hill. Image is courtesy of the Hernando County Fire Rescue. 

"Please check your smoke detectors," added Carl Roa. "That's what that's my message to you. They're really critically important. Don't let those batteries die because you don't think you're going to need it. And when the time comes, it could save your life."

The Roas were treated for smoke inhalation and were not taken to the hospital.