Lightning in between the snow showers near Causeway village in Co Kerry struck a number of out-buildings and ESB transformers on Thursday night.
One family had a narrow escape when the roof of their bungalow caved in as they watched television and much of their home was destroyed by a fire ignited by lightning.
Mr Bill Leen and his son William were in their sitting room at around 9.30 p.m. when they heard "a terrible bang". Everything went black and the ceiling fell in.
Thirteen-year-old William was struck by falling insulation, and timber beams landed alongside his seat. He ran to the door to shake off the dust and let it out of the room only to realise two bedrooms of their bungalow were on fire and smoke was billowing through the blown-out windows.
Mrs Anne Leen, a nurse, was working and their daughter Marie Therese (22) was also out.
Two units of the fire brigade were called but the house was burned extensively. Mr Leen was detained overnight in Tralee General hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation.
Flashes of lightning had been seen in the area before the strike on the Leen household. Local gardai said at least one outbuilding was burned in the Causeway area on Thursday night. Internal light bulbs were struck by lightning in a house near the Leens's.
ESB transformers were also knocked out in the Causeway area and crews worked yesterday to restore power.