Lightning likely caused fire and huge hole in roof of 11,000-square-foot mansion

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A fire that crews say was started by lightning left a large hole in a west Delray Beach mansion Tuesday.

According to the Palm Beach County Fire Department, units were dispatched to the 10000 block of El Paraiso Place around 12:19 p.m. WPTV crews on scene spotted several fire trucks at the entrance to the community Tierra Del Rey Estates South.

Fire Rescue said the home is a multi-story home of approximately 11,000 square feet.

Callers to 911 reported seeing black smoke and flames. When crews arrived, they spotted heavy flames and smoke coming from the home.

A second alarm was then triggered at the scene.

Fire Rescue said firefighters conducted a quick search and deployed several hoses, including two ladder trucks.

The fire was under control at 2:30 p.m.

Chopper 5 flew over the scene just before 3:30 p.m. and spotted the huge hole in the roof of the house. Firefighters were still dousing the area with water.

WATCH BELOW: Chopper 5 flies over fire-damaged mansion

Chopper 5 flies over mansion fire west of Delray Beach

El Paraiso Place remained closed to and from US 441 as firefighting operations continued.

Firefighters said no one was injured. Investigators determined that a “probable lightning strike” started the fire.

Property records show the home was purchased for $2.2 million in 2020.