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UPDATE: Lightning strike ignites roof of home

Homeowners were shocked after discovering that the roof of their house was ignited by a lightning strike from a passing storm.

THUNDER BAY - A family in a north side residence experienced quite the scare after a possible lightning strike set the roof of their house on fire.

Just before 5 p.m., Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Crews were called to a Ryde Avenue home after reports of a structural fire. Upon arrival, crews discovered flames on the roof of the two story home.

Kirsten Tadelich, who lives in the house with her husband and daughter, was cooking at the stove when she heard a loud crack.

“Then sparks came out of the stove and I thought it had exploded or something and the fire alarm went off,” she said standing outside of the house watching fire crews pull up pieces of the roof.

“So I went to open up the windows, because I thought that was the problem and then I smelled something outside. I stepped outside and saw the smoke billowing outside of the house.”

Tadelich said there did not appear to be any flames on the inside of the house, but she and her family evacuated as soon as she saw smoke on the roof.

“It was very scary,” she said. “We are still kind of in shock. They say lightning is a once and a lifetime thing. I’m hoping this is it.”

A spokesperson with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue confirmed Tuesday morning that the fire was caused by a lightning strike. 

The fire was extinguished after holes were cut into the roof of the house, as well as the drywall ceiling on the second floor. 

All the contents of the home were saved and the damage appears to be minimal and repairable. 



Doug Diaczuk

About the Author: Doug Diaczuk

Doug Diaczuk is a reporter and award-winning author from Thunder Bay. He has a master’s degree in English from Lakehead University
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