Two girls were taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after being struck by lightning outside a Merritt Island home, the National Weather Service has confirmed.

The strike took place just after 3 p.m. on Via Salerno Court, and neighbors say the lightning hit the top of a tree near where the girls, aged 12 and 15, were standing.

Jemeri Bryan said he heard the lightning hit and ran outside to find a horrific scene.

"I came out — the girls were on the ground, the tree was on fire and I called 911 right away," he said.

Officials said the 12-year-old girl was taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital, while the 15-year-old was taken to Arnold Palmer.

No information was immediately released on the teens' conditions.