Two Homes Destroyed by Fires Started by Lightning

OTSEGO, Minn. (AP) — A group of children at a sleepover and others fled from one of two homes destroyed when lightning struck and ignited a fire in the Twin Cities metro.

A third home in Otsego was damaged by fire early Sunday. Authorities say everyone escaped injury.

One family was hosting a youth soccer sleepover. Neighbor Joe Meinhardt tells the Star Tribune he grabbed the kids after the fire broke out. Meinhardt says it looked like the lightning hit the three houses all at once, jumping from house to house.

Heavy equipment was brought in to knock down the walls of the charred remains.