By Trevor Greenway

Firefighters in Chelsea managed to control a house fire after lightning struck it on July 24, but Fire Chief Charles Éthier said the blaze could have been much worse. 

Nobody was injured, and a family cat was rescued from the burning home. 

Fire crews were on the scene on Summit Road just off Hwy 105 in Larrimac within seven minutes of the call, said Éthier, noting that had firefighters not been in the station maintaining equipment, it would have taken them much longer to respond. He said the department’s quick response time helped crews limit the fire to only 20 per cent of the house. 

“Like every Wednesday, we had a team of four firefighters working at the fire station doing equipment and vehicle inspections and different chores. Therefore, our time of response was seven minutes, which is very, very good,” Chief Éthier wrote in an email. “Otherwise, it could take up to 20 minutes depending on different factors, which obviously has consequences on the evolution and damage of the fire.”

On July 24, a severe afternoon thunderstorm ripped through the Gatineau Hills, downing trees and powerlines and crumpling an outdoor tent at the Meredith Centre. One of several lightning strikes hit the home on Summit Road, setting the roof on fire, according to Éthier. He said that the owner was not home at the time, but crews were able to save the homeowner’s cat. 

“The neighbours called 911 after going outside after hearing a big bang, smelling smoke, and seeing flames from the roof,” added Éthier. 

The Chelsea Fire Chief encourages everyone in the Hills to be prepared for sudden emergencies. He urges homeowners to put together a 72-hour emergency kit and have it ready, as storms and other weather events can come without warning. 

“With climate changes, such events will happen more and more frequently, therefore, residents should be prepared,” he said.  “They should have their 72-hour emergency kit ready and listen to the news for weather updates and emergency alerts.”