06/17/09

Canaan Firefighters were in their station on Monday night June 15th when lightning struck nearby. One firefighter who was leaning on 34-3, Canaan's tanker, felt a tingle. Nothing more was thought about the incident. When firefighters left the building a rainbow was visible and one even took a photo of it.

On Wednesday June 17th Canaan Car one entered the station and smelled an unusaul overpowering odor. Firefighters were toned out by Columbia 911 at the request of Car one at 09:50 to investigate.

Investigating firefighters found that batteries in 34-3 were over charged and still smoking. The batteries were removed.

Canaan Car one stated a nearby pine tree to the firehouse was struck by lightning. It appears the charge of the lightning traveled through the firehouse and destroyed the batteries and the built-in charger on the tanker.

Lebanon Valley Rescue stoodby at the scene.

Canaan units, with the exception of tanker 34-3, were back in service at 10:46.