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Lightning Slices Through Roof Of House In Orange County

Posted: 3:52 pm EDT June 4, 2004Updated: 3:57 pm EDT June 4, 2004

Lightning has been sparking not only brush fires but also house fires.

LIGHTNING STRIKES
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When the lightning passed through Thursday night, a couple was in their home going over a checklist of what they still needed to buy for their new home. On that list was a ceiling fan. But after Thursday night's vicious storm, now they need a new ceiling.

"It was just like a real big boom. You know, like an explosion," says homeowner Doris Mejias.

Just before seven o'clock Thursday night, Doris and Rene Mejias were cutting some cherry pie for dessert when a bolt of lightning carved up their roof and sliced through a tree 20-feet away.

"The light just kind of popped over my head and there was glass in my hair and stuff. When I looked up, the light had come out of the socket," says Doris.

With lightening still in the sky, fire crews climbed the roof and gutted the kitchen ceiling to make sure there were no flames.

"I'm kind of rattled by it," Doris says.

The Mejias moved to Florida only five months ago and built their home from scratch. They now have not only a hefty repair bill but also a new understanding of summer life in Central Florida.

They say they may not stay for long. "We're gonna take it one day at a time, that's what we have to do now."

There's no word on how much all this damage is worth, but the Mejias spent much of Friday with their insurance adjuster and they expect the damage will be covered fully.

Still, they're pretty shaken up after a scary storm.

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