Lightning strike destroys home of metro Atlanta Legionaries of Christ

CUMMING, Ga. - A dozen priests and missionaries working for the Legionaries of Christ have been left without a home after a fire started during the weekend's severe storms.

Officials say the fire started on Sunday morning at around 4:45 a.m. at the home on Woodsong Road in Cumming, Georgia.

(Legionaries of Christ)

What we know:

In a press release, the Legionaries of Christ say the majority of the residents were away working at different locations when the fire broke out. The four priests inside the home were able to escape without injury.

Fr. Scott Reilly, LC, the associate pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, said that another priest saw a glow in the ceiling after a lightning strike. The group quickly called 911 and left the home.

Tragically, the fire quickly spread and consumed the home.

(Legionaries of Christ)

This was the second fire that destroyed a Forsyth County home on Sunday morning. Officials say other home fires happened in the county later in the morning.

What they're saying:

"It was immediate, the fire, and you know it's a tired house, it's like 40 years old and that wood is really dry," said Fr. Reily. "I thought that it hit a tree nearby but after a while smelling smoke...after a while, really three minutes, smoke, and then looking out my windows that were covered in their shades just the glow."

He says the priest that was inside the house that burned at the time slept in a different part of the house than he usually did. "Why? I don't know maybe he couldn't sleep or something but he says he wasn't there. He was in this recliner and the lightning struck where his room was," he said. "That was the first thing really safety, what do I need, get the car out of the way, and then just wait for the firemen to come."

"Our neighbors are amazing. They came to our aid right away. We went over to the neighbors right in front of us, who gave us coffee and whatever we needed. They had breakfast for us and were all so kind," Reilly said.

"If we didn't have any support if there was nothing, I would be pretty dire right now but the support from the community has been overwhelming it's amazing how that just gives you hope," he said.

What we don't know:

While Forsyth County Fire has listed the cause and origin of the blaze as "under investigation," officials told FOX 5 they have "plenty of reason" to suspect that lightning started the fire.

What you can do:

A GoFundMe for the organization has been set up to help the group with up-front and long-term expenses that will not be covered by the group's insurance policy.

As of Monday morning, the fundraiser has raised more than $55,000 of its $100,000 goal.