Members of a Valley Stream family are cleaning up a mess after a lightning strike and ensuing fire destroyed part of their home Wednesday.

Officials say a fire quickly broke out on the second floor of the Amherst Road house after it was hit by a lightning bolt. According to firefighters, the second floor was completely destroyed. They say the first floor and basement sustained no damage.

The family and its two dogs escaped unharmed. Officials say the incident could have been much worse since houses on the street are located very close together. They say it is lucky the fire did not spread.