'It was pretty crazy': Lightning strike blows chimney into Burnaby backyard
The rare thunderstorm that struck Metro Vancouver Saturday night left some notable damage in its wake.
Firefighters were called to the 8500 block of Portland Street near Byrne Creek Ravine Park around 7 p.m. after lightning struck the chimney of a home in the area.
Burnaby Fire Department Asst. Chief Mark Forsberg told CTV News Vancouver the lightning struck the home's main chimney, where the furnace and hot-water tank vented.
"The bulk of the chimney was blown up and ended up on the back lawn," Forsberg said.
Twenty firefighters responded to the scene, inspecting the inside of the home to make sure there was no additional damage, and working to shore up the roof to prevent rain from getting inside.
At one point, lightning flashed overhead as a firefighter was on the roof.
Forsberg said the officer in charge at that time ordered everyone off the roof due to safety concerns.
Chelsea Neville lives nearby. She told CTV News she came outside after hearing the lightning strike and emergency sirens.
"It was pretty crazy," she said. "I've never seen anything like this before."
No one was injured in the lightning strike, Forsberg said, noting the unusual nature of the call.
"I've had it once before in my career," he said. "Storms along here that produce lightning are rare, so not a common occurrence, for certain, but it's destructive when it does take place."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
WATCH LIVE 'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.