Lightning explodes tree, sets off fire alarms in Cougar Village
Caitlin Doszkewycz
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: News
Lightning struck the SIUE campus Saturday during the large thunderstorm that passed through the area, hitting trees in Cougar Village and setting off a fire alarm.
According to SIUE police Lieutenant Kevin Schmoll, the lightning hit a tree and caused a power surge that went to one of the building's furnaces. As a result, the furnace was damaged and started smoking. Fire alarms then went off in the building and firefighters were summoned.
There were no reported injuries.
In addition to firefighters, Schmoll said members of the Campus Housing Pro Staff were also called to the scene.
"There was no actual fire, but the furnace was damaged. Electricians have been called and they are scheduled to come in on June 29 to fix it," Schmoll said.
In addition to the alarms being set of in CV-531, a number of other fire alarms were set off in other Cougar Village buildings.
"It has happened in the past," Schmoll said. "Thunder causes tense vibrations and Lightning is one of the two biggest summer weather hazards, second only to heat, according to the U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics. However, lightning related deaths only occur about one or two at a time, making the threat pretty underrated. The reported number of lightning-related deaths is small, but largely underreported. The National Weather Service estimates that the true number of lightning related deaths per year is more likely between 100 to 120. The average number of lightning related injuries per year is approximately 300.
According to NWS, about 50 percent of lightning casualties occur in open, elevated areas. Another 25 percent occur under trees; a place people commonly assume will keep them safe from lightning. About 14 percent of lightning casualties occur in water. 84 percent of lightning victims are male and strikes occur mostly in June, July, and August.
Students should remember that lightning is beautiful to look at, but it's dangerous too. The NWS provides these tips for staying safe when lightning is present. First, stay indoors but avoid windows, doors, and metal pipes. Second, do not use electricity appliances during storms and turn off electronics such as televisions, DVD or VHS players and computers. Finally, and most importantly, avoid using the telephone. The majority of indoor lightning incidents in the United States occur because of telephone use.
According to SIUE police Lieutenant Kevin Schmoll, the lightning hit a tree and caused a power surge that went to one of the building's furnaces. As a result, the furnace was damaged and started smoking. Fire alarms then went off in the building and firefighters were summoned.
There were no reported injuries.
In addition to firefighters, Schmoll said members of the Campus Housing Pro Staff were also called to the scene.
"There was no actual fire, but the furnace was damaged. Electricians have been called and they are scheduled to come in on June 29 to fix it," Schmoll said.
In addition to the alarms being set of in CV-531, a number of other fire alarms were set off in other Cougar Village buildings.
"It has happened in the past," Schmoll said. "Thunder causes tense vibrations and Lightning is one of the two biggest summer weather hazards, second only to heat, according to the U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics. However, lightning related deaths only occur about one or two at a time, making the threat pretty underrated. The reported number of lightning-related deaths is small, but largely underreported. The National Weather Service estimates that the true number of lightning related deaths per year is more likely between 100 to 120. The average number of lightning related injuries per year is approximately 300.
According to NWS, about 50 percent of lightning casualties occur in open, elevated areas. Another 25 percent occur under trees; a place people commonly assume will keep them safe from lightning. About 14 percent of lightning casualties occur in water. 84 percent of lightning victims are male and strikes occur mostly in June, July, and August.
Students should remember that lightning is beautiful to look at, but it's dangerous too. The NWS provides these tips for staying safe when lightning is present. First, stay indoors but avoid windows, doors, and metal pipes. Second, do not use electricity appliances during storms and turn off electronics such as televisions, DVD or VHS players and computers. Finally, and most importantly, avoid using the telephone. The majority of indoor lightning incidents in the United States occur because of telephone use.
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