Lightning from Thursday evening's severe storms sparked two house fires in Cherokee County, one of which destroyed a prominent family's home.

The first fire was reported to Cherokee 911 shortly before 6 p.m. on Barron Road in Salacoa Valley. The residents, Dr. Floyd and Fay Falany, were not home at the time of the fire.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene, where flames already were shooting from the roof.

Firefighter John Bennett said the fire burned the kitchen and attic, with the rest of the house damaged by smoke, heat and water.

The couple's motor home and one car were spared, but their other belongings were ruined by the blaze.

Falany, who is the longtime former president of Reinhardt College in Waleska, and his wife are in the company of family, many of whom live nearby. The college's performing arts center is named in their honor.

Later on Thursday night, a fire was reported at 11:15 p.m. on Eagle Drive in Towne Lake. The residents were home at the time of the fire, but no one was injured.

Cherokee Fire-ES Battalion Chief David Tilson said crews arrived to find smoke and fire in the silent floor truss system between the first- and second-floors of the two-story house.

The fire was contained between the trusses, he said, with damage limited to the garage to the rear exterior wall.