Lightning Strike Sparks Fire in Abington, Firefighter Injured
A lightning strike caused a significant fire at a residence on Randolph Street in Abington, Massachusetts, early Friday morning. The strike hit a 60-foot pine tree in the backyard, creating a trench from the tree's base to the electrical panel in the garage. The fire quickly spread, with flames engulfing two sides of the garage and the breezeway connecting to the house. All occupants evacuated safely before firefighters arrived. A firefighter from a neighboring department was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. The incident also caused minor damage to a fire engine when it was struck by a civilian vehicle. Additionally, a nearby home reported melted cables and a damaged combination lock due to the lightning's impact. [Source time: not specified]
