Lightning Strikes Home of Olympian Michta's Family, Burns 2 Cars

The Nesconset home and occurred at the home of Olympian Maria Michta, Patch has learned.

Shortly after lighting struck the home on Lillian Road, downing wires that ignited two cars and engulfed them in flames, Michta tweeted: "that fire was at my house and we lost two cars."

Moments later the race walk champion took to Twitter again to inform her followers that everyone was safe: "Thank God family is safe, house still standing...lost two cars but was able to save our American Flag!"

The two vehicles destroyed were Michta's mother's van and her brother's car, Michta told Patch. She added that she was at Sachem East High School attending the SYAG track camp when the lightning struck. The flames were doused by the time she arrived.

Michta, who's due to leave for London any day, snapped this photo of the charred remains of her mother's car. The American flag she referred to in her tweet, was actually a gift from a neighbor, who planted it on the lawn after she qualified for the Olympics in Eugene, Oregon.