County Fire Chief Richard Dolan couldn’t remember a single night in his 33-year career like the one he had August 12.

“This was the first time we had so many lightning strikes so close together — bam, bam and bam,” said the chief.

One of those strikes, about 7:45 that evening, is believed to have ignited a residential fire that destroyed Stacy Conner’s mobile home on John Williams Road in north Sanderson.

She said she left the home after losing power and returned to black smoke coming from the interior, according to Chief Dolan’s summary. When Ms. Conner checked inside she found the kitchen and living room in flames.

Eight units, including two engines and two tanker trucks, plus 10 fire and rescue personnel, responded to the scene and extinguished the fire.

All the units returned to service by 9:30 pm.

The 1700-square-foot residence was a total loss, Chief Dolan said, but no damage estimate was listed in the report.

Lightning that night also sparked five brush fires in quick succession in the Sanderson area and the Osceola National Forest.

Chief Dolan said two occurred near Wire Mill Road totaling nearly three acres, two more, though smaller, erupted near CR 250 and 250A, and a third was located near Richardson Road south of Sanderson.

“It was popping all over the place,” said the chief.

Three vehicle accidents rounded out the night’s 15 calls, most of which took place between 5:15 pm and midnight.