The storm that produced a tornado in Crossfield July 14, also left its mark on a King's Heights home when a lightning strike left an approximately six-inch hole in the structure's roof, according to the Airdrie Fire Department (AFD).
“At the time of the incident, residents were in the basement of their two-storey home when they heard a loud crack of thunder and the lights in the home flickered and flashed,” a July 15 release stated, adding no injuries were reported.
AFD Deputy Chief Garth Rabel said it’s not an uncommon occurrence, especially with the weather Airdrie has been experiencing of late.
“I've heard of and attended lightning strikes in the past, as a first responder – it can happen, especially when you have such an aggressive and violent storm [come] as quickly as it came through our city,” he said.
He added the homeowners did the right thing by reporting the incident to AFD and urged the public to report similar incidences immediately.
AFD received a call to the home located on Kingsmere Way shortly after 3 p.m., according to the release. Once the roof was accessed, AFD said, crews determined the lightning had struck the shingles, leaving a hole in the plywood beneath them.
Firefighters conducted interior and exterior inspections and used a thermal imaging camera in the home's attic to eliminate the possibility a fire had extended beyond the point of entry, the release stated. No interior damage was found by AFD.
Rabel said the thermal imaging camera can be helpful in determining any “hotspots” firefighters may not see, particularly in a situation like this.
“This was a great opportunity just to open the hatch into the attic space, put the camera inside, and get a really good understanding of what the temperature was inside and look for any potential hotspots,” he said. “We found the house to be clean and safe. Other than the roof having that piece of damage, everything else was fine.”
Prior to leaving the scene, firefighters ensured the hole was temporarily covered until required repairs could be completed, according to AFD.
Rabel reminded residents to remain alert in extreme weather conditions, adding recently, AFD has received an influx of calls about flooding and motor-vehicle collision caused by the weather.
“As long as we look out for each other and we just take care of our own residences and our own homes and our own yards, I think we'll get through any of the storms that are happening,” he said.
- with files from Nathan Woolridge
This article was updated July 16 to include comments from AFD Deputy Fire Chief Garth Rabel.
