Lightning strikes damage Watertown home, Wellesley SUV

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Three people lost their home after a lightning strike caused a 2-alarm fire Friday afternoon, the Watertown Fire Dept. said.

No one was hurt, but the two-family house on N. Beacon St. suffered extensive damage on the roof and second floor.

“It was a fully involved fire coming out the window, most likely due to a lightning strike,” Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Tom McManus said. “[We could hear the lightning strike] even at the fire station. There was a pretty loud crack and [we were called there] shortly afterwards.”

Ten miles away in Wellesley, fire officials said lightning hit a parked car outside on home on Weston Road.

“We were so scared that we called [911]. It looks like it hit either outside the house or directly hit the car,” Keith Wexelblatt said.

Wexelblatt and his wife were home when they heard a loud boom. Initially, they thought lightning hit their garage because it quickly filled with smoke. Firefighters later determined the bolt hit the Wexelblatt’s Mazda SUV, parked right next to the garage, frying the electrical system.

“It was a loud clap, a sound that felt like it literally shook the house. It was almost a popping sound, then our alarms went off and that’s when you immediately get scared,” Wexelblatt said.

Wellesley Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Corda said the couple is fortunate their home didn’t catch fire.

“They’re very lucky. With something striking that close to the house, they’re lucky it didn’t hit the house or actually start a fire,” Corda said.

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