Lightning struck a tree and fell down on a southwestern Coquitlam house early this morning (Aug. 29), causing a small fire.
Five Coquitlam Fire/Rescue engines responded to reports of the fallen tree at a residence on the 1400-block of Rochester Avenue — near Rochester Park.
"It sounded like a bomb; it was way louder than thunder," Rajdeep Dhadwal told the Tri-City News, noting the explosive sound was heard at around 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Dhadwal said the dramatic sound woke other people in a nearby apartment building as well.
"We were concerned it might have been lightning hitting one of the industrial shops nearby."
Lightning "shattered" the tree, Coquitlam fire chief Jim Ogloff said following an initial investigation, sending debris across the yard and the street.
Fortunately, nobody was injured, Ogloff added.
However, the toppled tree hit the roof of the house, damaging wires and igniting an electrical fire in the attic.
"The tree went 'boom' and caused a big mess," Ogloff explained.
Vladimir Vukovic, who owns the home, said he and his wife, along with their nearly-two-year-old son, were sound asleep when they heard the crash.
"We just immediately woke up and then, soon after that, my smoke detector and fire alarm went off, too."
He called 9-1-1 and an operator told them to leave; the family quickly packed.
Firefighters soon arrived and were able to determine the source of the smoke, which was coming from the attic where the tree left a hole and broke some wires.
The family fled to their parents' home, where they are staying until insurance and other authorities sort out the details.
Vukovic said the large tree was a maple and City of Coquitlam crews are determining on whose property the tree was sitting before it was struck by lightning.
Despite the extensive damage to his home, Vukovic is remarkably calm about the ordeal.
"It’s a force of nature, I have no-one to blame. The most important thing is everyone is safe and healthy and able to walk away from it."
