Lou Holtz’s Orlando mansion burns after possible lightning strike

By David Just

A fire, possibly started by lightning strikes, caused severe damage to College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz’s Orlando-area home on Sunday, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

The fire took three hours to extinguish and “gutted” the 11,000 square-foot home, according to the report.

Here’s more:

More than 60 Orlando firefighters and 26 fire vehicles responded at 2:42 a.m. to the gated Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, known for its multimillion-dollar homes near Medical City, according to fire department spokeswoman Ashley Papagni. The fire was knocked down by 3:21 a.m. and extinguished at 5:59 a.m., she said. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. Photographs showed extensive damage to the second floor where Holtz, 78, and his wife, Beth, live. Holtz could not be reached Monday.

Here’s video of the damage:

The home is valued at $1.6 million, per the Sentinel.

Holtz was most recently a college football analyst for ESPN. Before appearing on-air, Holtz was the head coach of multiple college teams, including Notre Dame from 1986-96.

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