Lightning strikes keep Youngstown firefighters busy

YOUNGSTOWN — Lightning strikes kept city firefighters busy as storms rolled through the Mahoning Valley this week.

Firefighters were called to 801 Park Ave. about 9:15 a.m. Thursday when occupants reported they heard a loud bang and the fire alarm sounded. Officials found a tree that appeared to have been hit by lightning, which traveled down the tree underground and to a transformer sitting on the ground about 10 feet away, reports state.

Firefighters said there was no fire and Ohio Edison was called to the scene.

Later that day, crews responded about 1:10 p.m. to a call at 2232 Coral Sea Drive. The homeowner reported a lightning strike and that there was a problem with her freezer. Firefighters said an electrical problem, likely caused by the strike, made the ice maker short circuit and catch fire. Reports state the freezer was charred inside and the fridge had black residue in it, however, no other part of the house was damaged.