Shelburne man struck by lightning

By Greg Bennett

The Coast Guard

NovaNewsNow.com

A Shelburne man was taken to hospital Saturday night after the building he was in was struck by lightning.

Shelburne Fire Chief Edgar Allison said firefighters responded to Clements Street after smoke was reported at 174 Clement Street. The first crews at the scene found smoke and they also found a injured man holding his head and hand.

Paramedics left with the man, who was conscious but appeared to be somewhat dazed.

Chief Allison said current from the lightning strike appeared to have entered the outbuilding the man was standing in through an electrical plug-in receptacle.

The lightning strike also affected homes around the Clements Street neighborhood; blowing out four light bulbs in one home.

“It scared the hell out of me and I’m a way from there,” said Chief Allison.

Whole noting that it luckily wasn’t a direct strike; Chief Allison said he couldn’t remember anyone ever having been struck by lightning in Shelburne in the recent past.

“That’s as close as we want it to come,” he said.



Lightning Safety Tips: For the public

Electrical conductors including power lines, tall objects, high places and bodies of water attract electricity and lightning. Metal items like golf clubs, fishing pole, and bicycles will conduct electricity so avoid using them when a storm approaches. Never get closer than 30 metres to metal fences and take off shoes that have metal cleats.

Find a safe place where you can wait out the storm, preferably in a building or a vehicle.

Keep an eye on the sky. Dark, heavy clouds in the afternoon of a warm spring or summer day can signal an approaching thunderstorm. Take precautions even if the thunderstorm is not directly overhead. Lightning may strike several kilometres from of the storm. If you see lightning or hear thunder you should take shelter immediately.

Seek shelter

-In a building

Use a substantial and permanent structure, not a flimsy shelter.



In a vehicle

Lightning moves over the outer surface of metal objects, so you are safe inside an all-metal vehicle. But avoid touching anything metal inside, keep your hands in your lap.



In the open:

If you can't reach shelter, keep away from tall objects such as trees and towers. Stay clear of high ground and open fields. Seek shelter in low-lying areas such as valleys, ditches and depressions. If you're caught in a level field, crouch down, don't lie flat and put your hands over your ears to protect your hearing. If you are in a group, spread out, keeping several metres apart.



When Indoors:

Stay away from windows and doors and keep them closed. Avoid using tap water or the telephone and disconnect electrical appliances. Do not go back outside unless absolutely necessary.



After the storm:

Wait about 30 minutes to resume outdoor activities.



Source: Environment Canada