Monday, July 16, 2012

Lightning strikes sets Montrose home ablaze

CBC News Posted: Jul 16, 2012 2:00 PM AT Last Updated: Jul 16, 2012 1:55 PM AT

A Montrose, Prince Edward Island couple escaped without injury early this morning after a lightning strike started a fire in their home.

Provincial fire marshal Dave Rossiter says the strike happened around 3:30 a.m.

“There were two occupants home at the time. They were up at the time when the thunder and lightning storm came through,” Rossiter said.

“They did hear a loud crash, [but] didn't believe that the house was struck. Went back to bed and later, about a half hour of so later — smelled smoke. That's when they made the 911 call.”

Rossiter says there was extensive damage to the electrical panel throughout the home.

The couple has a small trailer they're staying in for now, and Canadian Red Cross volunteers helped them with emergency purchases like clothing and food.

Mid-July Heatwave Day Three

July 15th Highs and Lows:

New Brunswick

Edmundston

Max: 32.5°C

Min: 15.0°C



* In summation while we may have had three heatwave days in the region, no one location officially met heatwave criteria of at least three consecutive days with a maximum temperature of 32°C or higher.