At least two homes were damaged in the 4800 block of Wyatt Brook Way.
The fire spread quickly after lightning struck the attic of a home around 4:40 p.m, prompting a heavy firefighter response.
2 townhomes in Raleigh damaged after lightning strike causes fire
The neighboring home sustained significant water damage.
It took about 20 minutes for firefighters to get the blaze under control, but the roof was destroyed.
No injuries were reported, but families in both units were displaced.
No one was in the home where the fire started.
The strong storms, rain, and lightning also caused other problems on Friday night.
Late Friday, a large tree fell on Interstate 40 westbound near Highway 751, blocking two of three lanes.
Some power outages were also reported. At 11 p.m., about 3,000 people were without power in Wendell and nearly 600 in Durham.
Concertgoers at Red Hat Amphitheater had to wait a few hours for their show to start after lightning was detected nearby.
The Jordin Davis show did go on, but Red Hat had to evacuate because of the lightning.
The gates opened at 7 p.m., and the concert was supposed to start at 8 p.m., but it began after 9.
Other people were out and about in downtown Raleigh with their umbrellas, trying to dodge rain puddles.
The heavy rain was moving out late Friday, but more showers were possible overnight.
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