Lightning Knocks Out Natick FD Communication During House Fire Call

The Natick Fire Department scrambled to put out a working fire the morning of Sept. 1 on MacArthur Road after lightning struck the fire station and damaged its communication system.

According to Acting Fire Chief Rick White, all available fire trucks were on the road to answer various calls due to the thunderstorm when communication went down.

"Everybody was out except for Ladder 1 which wound up going to 28 MacArthur Road," White said. "I was trying to call everybody by cell phone."

Police dispatchers assisted in the calls while the communication services were out.

White said when the deputy fire chief arrived at 28 MacArthur Road, he confirmed there was a house fire due to a lightning strike and that it was in concealed spaces.

"It struck the roof somewhere," White said. "It was in the knee walls and above the ceilings in the bedrooms on the second floor."

Firefighters had to pull down ceilings and walls to douse the flames. The first floor sustained water damage while the second floor had fire, smoke and water damage.

The family has been living elsewhere since Sept. 1, White said.

"I believe there were staying at the Courtyard Marriott for the time being," White said, adding he's been in contact with Red Cross to help the family. "But I've been trying to find them something a bit more suitable for the longterm seeing the fact that they probably be out of there for a while." 

One of the residents thanked the firefighters on the Natick Patch Facebook page for their efforts. 

"These amazing firefighters worked for hours in the rain, the horrible heat and humidity and the lightning to do their best to control the fire," Jan Hastings wrote. "Through toxic smoke and difficult conditions, they bravely did everything they could to save my house, keep the fire from spreading and keep everyone safe."

White said there was no estimate on the damage and no one was injured during the blaze. 

"My family and I feel so lucky that everyone is safe, secure and unharmed," Hastings wrote. "No Fire Department could have worked harder, gotten there faster (less than 3 minutes) and been more kind. I'm so lucky to live in Natick, and I look forward to rebuilding here too!"