Local

Lightning strikes to blame for Carrick fire; Rain causes flooding

PITTSBURGH — Lightning is being blamed for a van fire in Carrick.

The van was hit by lightning around 4:30 a.m.

Channel 11’s Dave Bondy arrived at the scene on Dellrose Street when flames were still shooting from the vehicle.  No one was hurt.

https://twitter.com/WPXI_DaveBondy/status/502024392134901760

“We were sleeping. They knocked on the window and said the van got struck and was on fire. It was really bad. Flames were everywhere. We ran out of there and came across the street,” said Barry Claperton.

In Fallowfield Township, a charred line of grass was left behind after lightning struck a metal dog chain that was lying on the ground.

https://twitter.com/Fallowfield_VFC/status/502105082041999360

The dog was not outside at the time, firefighters said, and no injuries were reported.

Meantime, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of the area, including Baldwin.

An officer sent Channel 11 this photo of Streets Run Road early Wednesday. The water has since receded.

https://twitter.com/WPXI_DebG/status/502099509019963392

Police said crews were called in to clear away debris before the road was reopened to drivers.
The muggy, unsettled weather is expected to continue for a couple days.