Kids at sleepover flee fire from lightning strike; 2 NW metro homes destroyed

Lightning struck and destroyed two homes and damaged another in a newer subdivision in the northwest Twin Cities shortly before sunrise Sunday, sending its occupants — including a group of kids at a sleepover — fleeing for their lives, a neighbor said.

The blazes broke out about 5:50 a.m. at homes in the 12300 block of 76th Way NE. in Otsego, said Joe Meinhardt, who lives across the street from the charred scene. He also was giving shelter to everyone who had to abandon the houses.

http://www.startribune.com/lightning-just-before-sunrise-torches-homes-in-nw-metro/376891671/