Lightning Strikes Ignite Fires in US and UK Homes

Severe thunderstorms across the U.S. and the UK led to multiple residential fires and significant property damage caused by lightning strikes. In Suffolk, England, a bungalow's roof was destroyed, displacing the homeowner, though no injuries were reported. In Florida, lightning heavily damaged an unoccupied home in Orlando, likely necessitating demolition, and a separate strike in The Villages blew a thermostat off the wall and caused a power outage. In Hudson, Texas, a family lost their home after repeated flare-ups from a lightning-induced fire, but all occupants and most pets escaped safely. Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, also experienced lightning-related house fires, resulting in property loss but no serious injuries. These events underscore the ongoing risks of lightning during storm seasons and the need for robust protective measures.