Lightning strikes three area houses

Severe thunderstorms the afternoon of Aug. 21 kept East County firefighters busy battling several lightning-related fires.

At about 2:51 p.m., Southern Manatee Fire Rescue responded to a fire in the attic of a home in the 7000 block of Langley Place in University Park Country Club. Homeowners there reported the home had been hit by lightning. Early detection of the fire by the fire alarm system allowed the homeowners to get out safely and with a minimal amount of damage to the home.

East Manatee Fire Rescue responded to two fires, including two structure fires — one at an unoccupied home in Rosedale and another in River Club.

There was also a tree fire in Heritage Harbour.