Johns Island, SC - Another lightning strike over the weekend sets a Johns Island home on fire.

The homeowner says even though his home is out in the open and on the water, lightning was not what he was worried about.

The Lowcountry is known for wild weather and Bryan Fitch says building on the water had him worried about one thing.

"Living in the marsh in the Lowcountry you worry about hurricanes and it turns out that isn't what decided to hurt my house," Fitch said.

Around 6:30 Sunday evening, Fitch's alarm monitoring system notified police there was smoke inside his home. Minutes later, Charleston firemen were on scene and Fitch said they made a critical move.

"They shut off the gas line and that cut off the fuel to the fire," said Fitch. 

Fire investigators haven't determined where the lightning entered the house, but Fitch said it traveled through his gas line before igniting in the garage. 

"If we weren't monitored I think we'd actually be kicking around dust today,” Fitch said. “There would not be a house standing today.”

A gaping hole in the master bedroom is among the worst of the damage.

While clean up gets underway, Fitch is now looking into a lightning protection system.

Fire officials say they cost around $2,000 to $4,000 to install. It neither repels nor attracts lightning, but instead intercepts it and guides it to the ground.

Fire officials also recommend keeping tall trees away from your home so they don't become collecting points.

Also if you have a TV antenna or satellite dishes on your house, officials recommend you have them positioned so they don't act like lightning rods.

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