A major storm moved through the southeastern corner of Saskatchewan on Aug. 12 and 13, with heavy rain, some hail and damaging lightning.
A building in south Carlyle was severely damaged by a fire that was caused by a lightning strike.
Deputy Fire Chief Rob Klassen verified to the Observer that the fire was from a lightning storm at approximately 4:55 a.m. on Aug. 13. The two-storey building with a five-car garage on the lower level and living quarters on the top was struck by lightning which caused the fire.
When the first fire crews arrived, the roof was already engulfed by flames, so the crews set up a defence attack with an aerial truck and three hand lines.
Klassen said it was a “fairly intense” lightning storm.
The structure belonged to Sheila and Albert Boutin, and they say it was unoccupied at the time. The Boutins were awake around 4 a.m. as they were downstairs at their residence because of the lightning storm.
They went upstairs and as they were getting ready to go back to sleep. Albert thought he smelled smoke; he went outside and looked around but saw nothing as the living quarters were on the other side of the garage closest to the house. Minutes later they heard voices outside and then the doorbell began ringing.
Brent Stillwell, employee of the Town of Carlyle and also a member of the fire department, was out checking on storm drains and noticed the smoke and fire, so he came to warn them about the fire.
Vehicles were able to be removed from the garage before the whole place went up in flames.
Boutin’s daughter Emma and her husband Dakota had just moved out May 15 and they were so happy that no one was there and no one got hurt.
Boutin is thankful for their neighbours and the fast response of the fire department.
“It is so great living in a small town like this and the community pulls together to help one another,” said Boutin.
The storm was still in the area as the 10 firefighters battled the blaze. Two vehicles were removed from the burning structure and no damage was caused to the primary residence.
The fire department had the fire under control around 9 a.m. and had all hot spots extinguished shortly after 1 p.m. No injuries or loss of life occurred as a result of the fire.
Severe lightning, heavy rain, and some hail were reported in the nearby lake resorts and communities, with golf ball sized hail reported in the vicinity of Alida, causing damage to crops and gardens. Severe storm warnings had been issued Aug. 12 for the area of the impending storm.
