Lightning hits chimneys in two towns

An unusual lightning storm in eastern Massachusetts caused at least two lightning strikes Saturday afternoon.

The two reported strikes involved chimneys being hit in Danvers and Framingham, officials said.

At 3:30 p.m., firefighters responded to a home on Cherry Street that had its chimney “blown apart” by the lightning bolt, Framingham Fire Department Deputy Chief Anthony Pillarella said. “I’ve never seen a chimney do that before,” Pillarella said.

Then just before 4 p.m., Danvers police responded to 17 Lakeview Ave., where a lightning bolt “blew some of the plaster and sheetrock off the roof onto the home,” Danvers Police Captain Bob Ryburn said.

In both instances, the homes’ occupants were uninjured and no fire resulted.