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A lightning strike may be to blame for a death in a rural area east of Bakersfield.

Firefighters received the emergency call at 6:51 p.m. on Saturday, according to Kern County Fire Captain Tyler Townsend.

Crews found the victim in the 1300 block of E. Curnow Road, near the intersection of Cottonwood Road.

Bystanders in the area said the victim had been struck by lightning, but the Kern County Coroner's office will ultimately determine the cause of death, Townsend said.

The victim -- whose identity hasn't been released -- was dead on arrival.