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Vernon  

Neighbours battle grass fire

There was no question what started a small grass fire behind a Flemming Road home Tuesday evening in Vernon.

Several people not only heard, but saw the lightning strike.

And as soon as Peter Wiebe smelled smoke, he and another neighbour grabbed rakes and shovels and ran to the fire.

At first, Wiebe thought trees were on fire, but quickly discovered the grass was burning.

Vernon Fire Rescue Capt. Dan Walker said it was “extremely helpful” the neighbours jumped into action.

“They confined it to a small area,” said Walker as crews hosed the area down to make sure the fire was out.

The grass fire measured 20x20 feet and was on the edge of a hillside. Walker said had the wind kicked up, things could have been a lot worse.

As she watched the fire trucks pull away, Regina Picco recounted her close encounter with the lightning strike.

“There was lightning and thunder at the same time,” she said. “There was so much energy, it knocked me to the ground.”



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