Navarre Beach home suffers damage after lightning strike ignites house fire

Santa Rosa County firefighters worked throughout the early morning hours Wednesday to extinguish a house fire on Navarre Beach that was caused by a lightning strike. 

The home at 8204 Gulf Blvd. on Navarre Beach caught fire around 2:30 a.m. as lightning storms rolled through the area. Navarre Beach Ladder 49, Chief 49, Holley Navarre Engine 45 and 41, Florosa Engine 53 and Avalon Rescue 12 responded to the scene. 

A single occupant, the homeowner, was inside when the fire began. Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Chief Danny Fureigh said the homeowner heard a "large explosion" and then immediately left the home and called 911. 

No injuries were reported. Fureigh said the home suffered damage to approximately 50% of its structure. 

Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.