The Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners, and Fire Chief Mike D’Elia Jr., commend the actions of the Lakewood Fire Department in averting a major tragedy to a home struck by lightning in the early hours on Monday.

As first reported by TLS, at approximately 4:30 a.m. the sounding of a smoke detector awoke the resident of a home on Remon Lane. The resident did not realize at the time the house had been struck by lightning and thought the smoke detector had sounded as a result of a malfunction and neglected to call the Fire Department. However, later that morning, at approximately 9:00 a.m. the smoke detector activated again and the resident detected a burning odor, this time prompting a call to the Fire Department.

Upon arrival on the scene, Lakewood Firefighter James Ecks established command. Firefighter Ecks along with Firefighters Robert Cook, Thomas Schick and John Sonner sprang into action and discovered a smoldering fire in the attic which was determined to be the result of the earlier lightning strike. Fortunately, they were able to confine and extinguish the fire prior to it emanating into a fully involved blaze.

Chief Mike D’Elia, who assumed command upon his arrival on the scene, noted: “had it not been for the quick and decisive actions of the responding firefighters, the home could have rapidly become engulfed in flames.” Chief D’Elia further stated: “residents should never hesitate or delay calling 911 to request the Fire Department any time their smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm sounds.”

The Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners further emphasizes: “at no time should you hesitate to call the fire department even for the slightest suspicion of danger; what may appear to be “nothing” may, in fact, be deadly”.

Residents are urged to make certain they have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their home. At a minimum, smoke detectors should be located outside each sleeping area and on every floor; and, carbon monoxide alarms should be located outside each sleeping area of one’s home.