SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. --- South Walton Fire District firefighters responded to a residential structure fire Sunday afternoon on Driscoll Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. 

Thunderstorms were moving through the area around 4 p.m. when the home's occupant called 911. They told dispatchers lightning had possibly struck the home and they could smell smoke inside the residence. 

Truck 4 firefighters arrived first on-scene to report smoke showing from a section of the roof. Crews determined fire was present within the home's attic space, deployed hose lines for fire attack, and vertically ventilated the structure by cutting open the roof. 

Firefighters then remained on scene for approximately two hours extinguishing the fire, performing overhaul, and salvaging belongings. 

The SWFD Fire Marshal investigated the incident and confirmed lightning to be the most likely cause of the fire due to the occupant’s testimony and the visible damage to the roof, as well as the weather within the area at the time of the 911 call. 

The home suffered moderate damage during the incident. Fortunately, no one was injured. 

Thank you to the responding Walton County Sheriff's Office deputies for assisting onscene.