Lightning strike ignites church rectory during storm in Pennsylvania

Recently, severe thunderstorms impacted the Philadelphia region, causing significant disruptions and damage. The storms, which occurred on Tuesday night, brought heavy rain, strong winds, and multiple lightning strikes, leading to various incidents across the area. In Chester County, the rectory at St. Basil the Great Parish was ignited by a lightning strike, prompting a swift response from local emergency services. Fortunately, no injuries were reported at the parish. As the storm continued to develop, it caused power outages affecting thousands in the Philadelphia region, including over 4,500 customers in Bucks County alone. Additional outages were reported in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, with nearly 1,500 customers impacted in Montgomery County as well. The extensive power outages resulting from the violent weather exemplified the its severity. Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, lightning was also believed to have sparked a house fire in Cary, displacing three residents. The incident occurred on Thursday night, just after 10 PM, during severe thunderstorms that swept through the area. Fire crews quickly responded to reports of flames and established that the initial call came from a resident who suspected a lightning strike. Thankfully, all residents managed to evacuate safely and are receiving necessary assistance, although the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by local authorities. These incidents highlight the potential dangers of severe weather, particularly thunderstorms, which can lead to dramatic consequences including property damage, power outages, and displacement. As communities continue to recover, the importance of storm preparedness and response becomes increasingly evident.