Lightning Strikes Central Avenue Home in Montclair

During a severe thunderstorm on Thursday July 3, lightning struck a home located at 141 Central Ave. in Montclair, resulting in a two-fire alarm. 

When firefighters arrived on the scene at 7:07 p.m. there was “a large column of smoke coming from the roof.”

Dispatch received a call from the homeowner at 7:04 p.m. and firefighters subsequently worked through the lightning, winds and rain of the thunderstorm to bring the blaze under control.  

“All Montclair Fire Department on-duty fire apparatus were called to the scene (1 Battalion Chief, 3 Engine Companies and 2 Ladder Trucks, with sixteen firefighters).”

The majority of the fire was contained to the attic; a hose was run up the stairs to the attic, through the inside of the house, and then used to put out the main source of the fire.

Two Montclair Fire department aerial ladders were used to cut a ventilation hole into the roof of the house, to help the smoke escape, improve visibility and created a safer environment for the firefighters. 

“At one point firefighters were called off the roof and off aerial ladders because of lightning.”

The fire was brought under control by 7:45 p.m. It did flare up once more but was put out by the fire personnel on scene.

“Mutual aid was provided by Bloomfield, Clifton, Orange, East Orange, West Orange Cedar Grove, Patterson, Verona, and West Caldwell. Montclair also staffed a reserve engine and the rescue truck with call-back Montclair firefighters.”