Lightning strikes hit Sandwich, Yarmouth buildings during severe storm

Editor's note: This story has been edited to correct information concerning the incident at the Thirwood Place senior living facility in Yarmouth. The incident was a storm-related power surge and electric malfunction and not a fire, according to a facility spokesperson.

A lightning strike during a thunderstorm sparked fires on Monday afternoon in Sandwich and Yarmouth, according to the fire departments.

No injuries were reported in either of the fires.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Cape Cod on Monday that was in effect until 7 p.m. Flooding was reported in Harwich and Bourne during the storm . A gas pump's fire suppression system malfunctioned at a Cumberland Farms convenience store in Orleans, requiring rescuers to evaluate two people. They did not require a trip to a hospital emergency room.

At 12:55 p.m., Sandwich firefighters arrived at 17 Mill Road in East Sandwich to find the outside back corner of the house on fire. Additional units from Joint Base Cape Cod Fire Department and Mashpee Fire Department came to the scene, according to Sandwich Fire Chief John Burke.

The people inside the house reported the fire and got out with the family dog with help from the neighbors. No injuries were reported, and the investigation will be completed by the Sandwich Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit, Burke said in a statement.

Twenty-two firefighters responded to the fire. The fire damage was limited to the outside and some electrical components inside the house. Town building and electrical inspectors were working with the homeowner to reoccupy the house.

A home at 19 Mill Road had minor electrical damage due to the lightning strike, according to the fire department.

Cotuit, Bourne and Barnstable Fire Departments provided station coverage during the fire.

In Yarmouth

In Yarmouth, a storm-related power surge and electric malfunction occurred at 12:38 p.m. at Thirwood Place senior living facility at 237 North Main St. Eight minutes later, a house fire was reported at 18 Oliver St.

No injuries were reported at the fire, said Yarmouth Fire Chief Enrique Arrascue .

The lightning struck "the rear of the home on the roof line and caused small burning in the area of the attic, but did not extend any further into the home," said Arrascue of the fire at Oliver Street.

The senior living home remained occupied after the incident. Arrascue said he was not sure if residents would remain at the Oliver Street house, but said he believed they could stay if they wanted.

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com . Follow her on X @zanerazz .

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Lightning strikes hit Sandwich, Yarmouth buildings during severe storm