Investigators believe lightning likely caused a fire Monday morning that destroyed a two-story home in the Country Club of North Carolina.

When firefighters arrived at the home at 100 Cherry Hill Drive about 7:15 a.m., heavy flames were coming from the home.

"We believe, initially, that the lightning strikes ran into the house and started the fire in the attic," Pinehurst Fire Chief Carlton Cole said Tuesday.

He said fire investigators found indications of lightning strikes on the home's chimney and on two trees near the house.

No one was injured in the fire. The homeowner, James Rogers, was out of town at the time.

Cole called it a "total loss." He said the value of the home was $650,000, according to tax records.

He said heavy flames were coming from the kitchen area of the home.

"The flames were coming through the roof, and the high winds helped spread the fire," Cole said.

Firefighter from Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Southern Pines, Crestline, Eastwood, Seven Lakes, West End, Cypress Pointe and Carthage responded, along with Pinehurst and Moore County EMS.

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.