A fire that destroyed a house Tuesday southwest of Lawrence caused an estimated $450,000 in damage, according to a Douglas County Sheriff’s report.

The fire occurred about 12:45 p.m. at the home at 1069 East 850 Road, just southeast of Clinton Lake, after a neighbor reported hearing a lightning strike and saw flames coming from the roof. It took fire crews from Clinton Township and other area townships several hours to put out the fire. The owners were not home at the time. No one was injured, although two cats were not accounted for.

Sgt. Steve Lewis, a sheriff’s spokesman, said Wednesday the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by Clinton Township firefighters and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, but it is suspected to be a lightning strike.

According to Douglas County records, the property is owned by Carlos and Jacquelyn Castillo.