7.27.14 Lightning Strikes in Southern California UPDATE:Possible Death

UPDATE: An unidentified man in his 20s died Sunday afternoon after he was taken from Venice Beach -- the sight of a severe storm -- to Marina Del Rey Hospital for treatment, officials said.

An official with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said that he couldn’t confirm the man was one of the 13 people struck by lightning because his agency had not yet received a body and has not determined an exact cause of death.

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Lightning from a rare band of summer thunderstorms struck up to seven people and ignited brush fires in various parts of Southern California on Sunday afternoon, officials said. The extent of the injuries was unknown.

The National Weather Service urged residents in Venice and surrounding areas to stay indoors if they hear thunder because lightning strikes were possible as the storm moved through.

A lightning strike left several people injured near Playa Del Rey, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the incident about 2:20 p.m. in the 3500 block of South Ocean Front Walk, according to a statement from the LAFD.

On Catalina Island, lightning struck a man and ignited several brush fires, authorities said.