Aug 15, 2008 5:10 pm US/Eastern
Lightning Strike Starts Fire At Perry Hall Condo
PERRY HALL, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Lightning strikes an apartment complex in Perry Hall leaving more than a dozen families homeless.
Don't tell the residents of a Perry Hall condominium complex that lightning doesn't strike twice.
Lightning struck the Chapel Hill Condominiums on Juliet Lane Thursday evening, sparking a fire and forcing several residents to be evacuated.
Alex DeMetrick reports this is the third serious fire started by lightning in as many weeks.
The fire started in the roof and attic area of the building. It forced those inside to flee.
"I never heard it crack that loud in my life. I sat on the sofa and screamed. It scared me to death," said Lorri Robinson.
"It was a huge boom. It's undescribable. As soon as I heard it, I knew. It was just way too close," said Pat Dearborn.
Thirteen residents have been displaced from their homes. At least one condo suffered extensive damage. Others were damaged by smoke and water.
It could have been worse. Residents remember all too well when it was.
In June 2006, a lightning strike burned down one of the buildings in the same complex.
Officials are looking at the possibility of putting lightning rods on the buildings.
Three weeks ago, a house in Chase was burned to the ground by a fire started by a lightning strike. Two weeks ago, a church steeple was struck in Hampden.
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