Seven injured by lightning in California

VENICE BEACH, Calif., July 27 (UPI) -- Up to seven people were injured by lightnin Sunday at California's Venice Beach, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said.

A series of rare thunderstorms hit the area Sunday afternoon, producing cloud-to-ground lightning, the National Weather Service said.

The extent of the injuries of the victims at Venice Beach wasn't reported.

Earlier Sunday, a man in Catalina Island was also struck by lightning, the Los Angeles Times reported.