Crews respond to fires caused by lightning during Saturday night storm

Fork lightning striking down during summer storm.

Fire crews responded to two fires started by lightning as a storm ripped through the Edmonton area Saturday night.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) responded to a fire on the roof of a townhouse in the area of 189 Street and 57 Avenue shortly after 9:30 p.m. The fire was declared out around 12:30 a.m.

Crews also responded to a single-family home that was struck by lightning around 10:20 p.m. in the area of 86 Street and Edwards Drive. The fire was declared out at 1:09 a.m.

No injuries were reported at either fire.

EFRS also received multiple calls from residents reporting natural gas smells in their homes. All of the calls turned out to be sewer gas entering their homes from the storm. There were also multiple calls of vehicles in floodwater.

The Yellowhead Trail was closed in several places due to flooding. There is still a partial closure between 121 Street and 127 Street.

Flooding also closed a portion of Whitemud Drive and several other roadways that have since reopened.

Partial closures remain for the following roads:

• 66 Street underpass at Fort Road;
• 118 Avenue at 149 Street; and
• 97 Street south of 127 Avenue.

There were also multiple calls about downed trees across the city.