Lightning strike sparks Dunnellon home fire; smoke alarms alerted homeowner; pets saved

Photos courtesy of CCFR: outer wall (left); bedroom (right).

Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR)

Dunnellon, Florida – At 8:11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Citrus County Fire Rescue was dispatched to a residence located on W. Dunklin Street in Dunnellon after the agency received a report that a lightning strike had caused smoke inside a residence. The homeowner reported they'd heard two loud lightning strikes during a strong storm, followed by smoke coming from the roof and their smoke alarms sounding. The homeowner immediately evacuated her home; her dog was already outside, but three cats remained inside the home.

Firefighters arrived at the location to find a 3,400 square foot, single-story concrete block home with light smoke showing from the roof. An assessment, of the home's exterior revealed damage to an electrical cable/phone box located on the side of the home near the garage.

Five area fire departments investigated the home's interior investigation and worked on fire suppression. Crews located fire in a bedroom closet on the corner of the home and extinguished it using approximately 200 gallons of water. Smoke conditions briefly intensified but were quickly brought under control due to crews conducting ventilation efforts to clear the home of smoke and carbon monoxide.

All three cats were removed from the home. One cat was provided with oxygen on scene by a Rescue Unit.

Crews placed tarps over living room furniture to limit smoke damage and conducted salvage and overhaul operations to ensure no further spread of the fire.

The fire was determined to be accidental, originating from a light fixture in the closet. The fire occurred during a severe lightning storm that also damaged the home’s exterior utilities and a vinyl fence along Dunklin Street.

Damages to the home were estimated at approximately $60,000, which including fire and smoke-related losses.

Citrus County Fire Rescue credits the home’s working smoke alarms for giving the homeowner early warning and preventing further loss of property and no loss of life.

Fire Safety Reminder:

Smoke alarms save lives. Be sure to test your alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. If you need help with alarm installation or maintenance, please contact Citrus County Fire Rescue Headquarters at (352) 527-5406.

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, CALL 9-1-1.

Citrus County Fire Rescue Contact Information:
Business Office Location: 1520 N. Meadowcrest Blvd.. Crystal River, Florida 34429;
Non-Emergency Phone: (352) 527-5406.
Website: www.CitrusCountyFire.com
Social Media: x.com/CitrusCoFire and Facebook.com/CitrusCountyFireRescue.