Lightning Strike Ignites Underground Gas Line by Rescue Captain Julius Marosfalvi Jr. August 14, 2008
On Sunday August 10, 2008, Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company was alerted to a tree and brush on fire that reportedly resulted from a lightning strike. Engine 68-1 was the first to arrive on the scene and quickly deployed a hand line. As the crew started to wet down the fire, they quickly noticed an unusual event. The fire began to flare up as the crew sprayed water onto the ground. The crew shut down the hose line and began to back away from the fire. As they observed the roaring fire, they quickly realized that the reported lightning strike must have ruptured an underground natural gas line which then ignited. Firefighters monitored the fire and protected the tree that was directly next to the fire until Peco workers arrived on the scene to secure the gas leak.
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Photos by Doug Fuller
"Protecting Your National Heritage" P.O. Box 62 630 Valley Park Road Valley Forge, PA 19481
