Lightning causes havoc across the state

Norwich, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's one of the biggest dangers when a thunderstorm rolls in and now more people are recovering from lightning strikes.

The work week started like the previous one ended: with wild and violent weather.

We start in Killingworth, where investigators believe a lightning strike was the cause of an early morning garage fire.

"Bam! I can't hear anything now," said Mike Board, "but lightning hit the Bilco doors!"

"Most of the fire was contained to the garage, three vehicles inside adding..to fuel load making it difficult for us," said Deputy Chief Dick Bauer, Killingworth Fire Dept.

After the morning excitement, there was calm, until just around rush-hour, when another strong line of thunderstorms rumbled in. Fire crews were called to a home in Avon after what is believed to be another lightning strike.

The gentleman who was there ran out, saw where the fire was, and turned off the gas from the propane tank," said James DiPace, Avon Fire Marshall. "And probably saved a lot of damage. He got his elderly mother out of the house, and his girlfriend and they all left."

Around the same time as the Avon emergency, fire crews were also called to Odetah Campground in Bozrah, where lightning struck a trailer, sending one woman to the hospital with serious burns.