9 people hurt by lightning strike along California coast

(KTLA) -- As many as nine people were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment after being struck by lightning at Venice Beach amid a rare series of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The incident occurred at about 2:50 p.m. in the 3500 block of South Ocean Front Walk, according to LAFD spokeswoman Katherine Mann.

Initially, the fire department said as many as three people had been hit by lightning and injured. The number was later revised to seven, and then to nine.

The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

“Cloud to ground” lightning has been reported over Marina Del Rey and LAX, according to the National Weather Service, which was also urging anyone who heard thunder in the area to stay indoors.

Earlier in the day, a man was injured after being hit by lightning in Catalina Island, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Lightning was also being blamed for igniting several brush fires on the island and knocking out power to the area, the Times reported.

CNN and KTLA’s Steve Bien contributed to this report.

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