Columbia duplex catches fire after lightning strike, neighbors say

A family is temporarily without a home after lightning struck their roof, setting the house on fire early Sunday morning, neighbors said.

Columbia and Boone County firefighters responded to the 5900 block of Canaveral Drive around 2 a.m. for reports of a duplex on fire.

Neighbors told ABC 17 News that they heard a loud lightning strike, then immediately felt the ground shake.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they saw the right side of the roof was on fire, authorities said.

Firefighters said it took them 15 to 20 minutes to extinguish the fire.

The majority of the damage was on the right side of the duplex. Firefighters said the residence on the left side sustained some water damage.

All residents, including a kitten firefighters rescued later in the morning, were able to get out safely.

Columbia fire authorities cannot confirm that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike until the fire marshal is finished with their report.