Victoria, Chaska, Waconia and Excelsior fire departments responded to a house fire at 8818 Ridge Ponds Drive in Victoria June 5.

A lightning strike apparently caused the fire, according to neighbor John Hetzler, who took the accompanying photograph.

The lightning strike occurred between 3:45 and 4 p.m., and this photo was taken at 5:20, Hetzler said.

There were three people in the home at the time of the strike, Hetzler reports. “The family smelled smoke, immediately evacuated the house and called 911 from their cell phone,” Hetzler said. “Fortunately, nobody was injured in the blaze. Three family cats were also in the house at the time and were all found alive after the fire was put out.”

Hetzler, who took this photo, said he may have seen the strike that caused the blaze. “I was in my office facing west overlooking Lake Hazeltine and saw a wide, brilliant cloud to ground lightning bolt that struck three times in rapid succession sometime around 4 p.m. I was amazed that I did not hear the thunder even though the bolt was so bright. This could be due to being that far away and being inside,” he said.

More information on the fire is forthcoming.