BUTLERTWP — A house on Lea Drive caught fire Wednesday afternoon when a tree behind it was apparently ignited by lightning.

Neighbors said they saw a bolt of lightning strike a tree behind the two-story brick home at 101 Lea Drive at about 5 p.m. A passing driver saw smoke a few minutes later and called 911, according to emergency dispatchers.

Homeowners Dave and Jennifer Griffith and their two toddlers were not home when the blaze broke out.

Firefighters from Meridian, Lyndora and Greenwood Village responded to the emergency call, assisted by the Butler Ambulance and South Butler firefighters.

"Three rooms have fire damage, the rest are smoke damaged," said Toby Wehr, assistant fire chief at Meridian.

"It was only smoldering at first but once we made entry it kicked up a bit."

About 30 firefighters and 10 emergency vehicles were on the scene. Water was pumped from a hydrant on Meridian Road, causing the road to be shut down between 5 and 8 p.m.

No damage estimate was available.

Jennifer Griffith arrived after firefighters but was visibly shaken and unavailable for comment. No one at the home answered this morning.