A calf died in a blaze sparked by lightning Monday in Marion County.
Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched at 5:15 p.m. to the 6900 block of NW 90th Ave. in Ocala after receiving reports of a non-dwelling structure fire. The 911 caller reported smoke and flames visible coming from a barn in the area.
Firefighters from Meadowood Farms Station #12 and Lowell Station #11 arrived on scene at 5:25 p.m. to find the 2,000-square-foot residence and attached barn, fully involved in flames. The fire had already gone through the roof. District Captain 5 arrived on scene, established command and requested additional tanker support to set up a water sector. Firefighters completed a primary search of the structure and verified that it was not occupied.
Firefighters from Friendship Station #21, Anthony Station #1 and Golden Ocala Station #20 arrived on scene and began an aggressive attack on the fire. The fire was called under control at 6:29 p.m.
On scene command was able to determine the cause of the fire as a lightning strike to the structure.
