James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: jordan@jgpr.net
Shrewsbury Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused by Lightning Strike
SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona reports that the Shrewsbury Fire Department responded to a home Wednesday afternoon after a fire was ignited by what is believed to be a lightning strike.
At 3:37 p.m., Shrewsbury Firefighters were dispatched to 37 Appaloosa Drive for a report of smoke coming from the home’s roof. Upon arrival, first responders confirmed the presence of flames in the attack and — along with additional responding firefighters — initiated an internal attack. Crews later made an external attack by cutting a hole in the roof.
Firefighters observed a portion of the roof that appeared to have been struck by lightning, and have identified the lightning strike as the likely cause of the fire.
he Shrewsbury Fire Department was assisted on-scene by crews from the Boylston and Westborough Fire Departments.
There were no injuries as a result of the fire, though the family was displaced due to the incident.
The last firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 10:10 p.m.
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