Monday, June 19, 2017 11:22PM
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A storm moved through the region Monday afternoon bringing heavy winds, drenching rains, and powerful lightning.
A lightning bolt resulted in a three-alarm fire in Pocopson Township, Chester County.
Ted and Hope Sage spotted a lightning bolt leaving their childrens' home.
"We saw a huge lightning flash and instead of coming to a point, it was like two bars of the whitest lightning I have ever seen, hitting just behind the trees," Hope Sage said.
Neighbor Debbie Ventura witnessed flames coming out of the chimney of the home.
"They were breaking the windows in the front of the house and there was smoke billowing out of all the upstairs windows," Ventura said.
Officials now estimate the home sustained more than $750,000 in damages.
"The lightning strike we believe was to the chimney, which went down and compromised the structure areas between the basement and first floor levels," Chester County Chief Fire Marshal John Weer said.
The homeowners were apparently out of town. A woman who was house-sitting made it out safely and told Action News she's fine, but shaken.
According to neighbors, the home is under contract to be sold.
"They did all this work on the outside of the house, they finished it about three months ago and now they have to do the inside," Ventura said.
In South Philadelphia, the Planet Fitness had to close for approximately an hour and a half. An employee tells Action News around 5:30 p.m. lightning struck their side of the shopping center resulting in a total blackout inside the fitness facility. Power was restored around 7 p.m.
Storm knocks out power to Planet Fitness in South Philadelphia. Credit: Chris Augustin
In Allentown, the storm caused a tree to split in half.
Credit: Matt @hockeyplyr4/ Twitter
Credit: Matt @hockeyplyr4/ Twitter
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Multiple house fires reported in Chester County after thunderstorms
Smoke pours out of the chimney of a house in the 100 block of Osborne Circle, Pocopson Monday afternoon after storms passed through Chester County. The original fire was reported in the basement. Nobody was injured in the blaze, which went to three alarms. The additional crews were required for tanker supply and manpower. PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA By Pete Bannan, Daily Local News
Smoke pours out of the chimney of a house in the 100 block of Osborne Circle, Pocopson Monday afternoon after storms passed through Chester County. The original fire was reported in the basement. Nobody was injured in the blaze, which went to three alarms. The additional crews were required for tanker supply and manpower. PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA POCOPSON >> Chester County firefighters were kept busy battling three fires after a late afternoon storm passed through the area Monday. The first call was for a home on McCormick Way in New London, which was reported struck by lightning at about 4:20 p.m. Crews radioed a working fire with smoke from the attic, and requested additional tankers.
Around 4:30 p.m., a home in the 100 block of Osborne Circle, Pocopson was also reported to have been hit by lightning, with fire in the basement. Neighbor Debbie Ventura said she was on her way home when the homeowner, who was out of state, called to say the home was on fire. A caretaker who was staying there,safely escaped. Ventura said the home, which was for sale, had recently had an agreement of purchase. According to Zillow, the 9,300 square feet home was listed at $1,149,000.
Chester County Fire Marshal John Weer said three fire trucks each dropped 1,500 feet of hose to reach the blaze. Zoning codes in Pocopson do not require nearby hydrants. Weer said the fire went to three alarms for manpower and a tanker task force. Crews from Longwood, Po-Mar-Lin, West Bradford and all three West Chester stations responded. Additional units came from as far east West Whiteland and Concordville. Weer said he is unable to confirm the cause until investigators have a chance to examine the house.
Po-Mar-Lin fire chief Steve Nuse said the fire was in the basement and extended into the walls. Thick smoke poured out of the chimney and could be seen coming from the roof line. Firefighters could be seen opening a hole in the roof to allow heat and smoke escape. Shortly afterwards, flames shot out of the hole as well as from the top of the chimney. Firefighters had the blaze under control shortly after 6 p.m.
There was no estimate on damages.
Shortly after the Pocopson fire, a third house fire was reported in the 700 block of Marshalltown Thorndale Road in West Bradford. Firefighters reported wires down with a smoke condition inside, however crews were able to quickly control the blaze.