House On Ashborne Road a Total Loss After Lightning Strike

Lighting is thought to have caused a fire that destroyed a Minnetonka home.

Firefighters went to Ashborne Road at about 2:30 a.m., according to the city of Minnetonka. The house was fully engulfed in flames, and neighbors reported a large lightning strike just before the fire erupted. Everyone inside the home was able to get out.

The homeowner spoke with a cleaning crew Friday morning. She declined to comment because she said she didn't want to start crying.

Lighting is thought to have also caused a fire in a twin home on Leaping Deer Lane in Eden Prairie. 

Xcel Energy reported that thousands of people in the Minnetonka area lost power following the high winds, heavy rain and hail early Friday morning.

The utility company's outage map showed three major concentrations of outages around the community:

• 1,658 customers in the Minnetonka, Woodland, Wazata, Deephaven area. Power lost at 3:29 a.m. Crews are still assessing the situation to determine when they can restore power.
• 1,608 customers in Minnetonka and Wayzata area. Power lost at 3:34 a.m., restoration expected shortly after 7 a.m.
• 917 customers in the Minnetonka, Wayzata,  Deephaven area. Power lost at 3:29 a.m. Crews are still assessing the situation to determine when they can restore power.
  

A chance of showers and thunderstorms continues throughout much of the day, according to the National Weather Service.