Lightning downs large tree in Silver Spring

Lightning hit this 75 foot Oak tree on First Ave in Silver Spring. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
A limb came down in the backyard of a red brick Rambler. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
Montgomery county firefighters had to rip out siding to get to the lightning path. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
The lightning charred insulation inside the walls and also knocked out power to the home. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
The lightning reached the aluminum downspout where it burned holes. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
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SILVER SPRING, Md. — Montgomery County firefighters received several reports of lightning strikes as intense storms rolled through the D.C. area Monday afternoon.

The lightning downed a large tree limb in the backyard of a house on First Avenue in Silver Spring, just a couple of blocks from Georgia Avenue.

The lightning strike also hit the house, burning holes in one of its aluminum downspouts.

Montgomery County firefighters quickly responded and were forced to rip siding from the house’s addition to reach the lightning path.

The lightning scorched insulation within the walls and also knocked out power to the home.

Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, says there were at least four lightning strikes in the area, including strikes on two utility poles not far from the home on First Avenue.

Dick Uliano

Whether anchoring the news inside the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center or reporting from the scene in Maryland, Virginia or the District, Dick Uliano is always looking for the stories that really impact people's lives.

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