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MONROE: Lightning strikes multiple homesd, ignites one fire

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — A two-alarm fire that broke out in the Clearbrook senior community on July 26 was most likely caused by lightning, according to officials.
   According to officials, a Belmar Road family was relaxing and watching television in their living room during a severe thunderstorm on Thursday evening when lighting hit their home with a loud “boom” around 7:55 p.m.
   ”The homeowners were relaxing on the couch when he heard a boom and it blew out the glass out of his fireplace,” said Deputy Chief Eric Coran of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company 2.
   A number of severe storms quickly moved through the state Thursday evening, according to the National Weather service.
   The lighting strike hit the attic of the home, setting it on fire and the force of the impact traveled down the chimney and blew out the glass plates in the fireplace, firefighters on the scene said.
   The fire then spread from 253B to 253C, which is attached and adjacent to 253B.
   Neighbors Herbert Liebson and his wife of Monroe, residents of 253C, also experienced damage as a result to their home from the lightning strike and ensuing fire.
   The residents and animals were removed from both homes without injuries or incident, according to police.
   ”There were two houses that were struck at the adjoining wall with fire spreading to two separate units,” said fire Chief Jim Carbin of Monroe Township District 2.
   Multiple agencies responded to the scene including all three Monroe Fire Departments, Hightstown Engine Co. 1 and Monroe Municipal Services.
   The second alarm brought additional departments to assist which included East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company 2, Cranbury Fire Department, East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company 2 and Millstone.
   ”Crews made an aggressive interior attack and kept the fire damage minimal,” Mr. Carbin said.
   An investigation by fire officials revealed the fire was caused by the lighting strike on the rooftop between both units that traveled in the attic portions of the building’s structure. There was extensive damage to both units as a result, according to the police.
   ”The houses sustained damage from the fire as well as water damage,” Mr. Carbin said. “We got dispatched for a second alarm, and upon arriving we were told to (provide) ladder (access to) the roof. There was a large hole in the back of the roof (caused by the fire) and we extinguished it and vented the roof. I want to say it struck two places igniting the fire on the roof, (but usually) lightning never strikes the same place twice.”
   However, this was not the only home to be struck by lightning that evening. Additional calls came in for two other residents’ homes in the town that we also hit during the storm but no damage was reported.
   ”A second call for a lightning strike at Monroe Village came in and our mutual aid cover departments were detailed to that. While this was happening, a third lightening strike in the Ponds (senior community) was dispatched and two engines from the scene, along with the cover companies, responded to that,” Mr. Carbin said.
   Mr. Coran noted that his East Windsor department was asked to cover one of the calls at the Ponds, but they found no damage and reported back to the Clearbrook scene to assist efforts there.
   ”It was extremely dangerous being up on the roof since there was lightening everywhere,” Mr. Coran said. “Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was on the roof in a lightning. You had to take a step back and make sure everyone was safe.”
   Mr. Coran urged people to be careful and be aware of your surroundings during lightning storms.
   ”Be careful,” Mr. Coran said. “People don’t think it can happen to them.”