For Monday, the National Weather Service is predicting a chance of showers with a high of 85. Patchy fog, low 54 Monday night.
03.09.11 | Photo by Julian Feller-Cohen â The Agawam Fire Department's patch.AGAWAM – A line of thunderstorms passed through the Pioneer Valley Sunday afternoon causing power outages a lightning-sparked fire in Agawam.
Most power customers had their power back by 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to utilities National Grid and Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
Fire caused by a lightning strike did $15,000 worth of damage to a home at 94 Raymond Circle at 5:30 p.m., said Agawam Fire Lt. B. J. Calvi.
The lightning struck a tree before jumping to the home, Calvi said . The fire was in the soffit under the eaves.
No one was injured although firefighters had to help two elderly residents from the home. The fire was reported by the couple’s adult children, Calvi said.
Calvi said the home can’t be occupied until an electrician checks out the wiring. There is also roof damage. Firefighters were able to put the house fire out in about 10 minutes and were on the scene for a total of about 45 minutes.
On Saturday, lightning sparked a fire that destroyed the Rowe Elementary School. On Sunday a lightning strike in the parking lot at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., after a rain-shortened NASCAR race killed one person and injured nine others, according to The Associated Press.
Locally, National Grid reported outages in Hampden, Monson and Wilbraham. Crews were out assessing the situation.
Pam Medlock, spokeswoman for Western Mass Electric Co., said her company was dealing with outages in Franklin County, specifically in Greenfield, Northfield and Bernardston. She expected crews to restore power Sunday night.
In Erving, downed wires closed North Street, according to police dispatchers.
For Monday, the National Weather Service is predicting a chance of showers with a high of 85. Patchy fog, low 54 Monday night.