Lightning strike in Toronto’s west end leaves homes damaged, 2 injured
Posted July 21, 2023 8:03 am.
Last Updated July 21, 2023 11:32 am.
Two homes have been damaged in Toronto’s west end after a tree was struck by lightning during a Thursday thunderstorm.
The large tree was struck on Jane Street, north of Bloor Street, just before 7 p.m. Toronto Fire says the tree exploded and chunks of it hit two homes and sheds in the area.
CityNews 680 traffic reporter Kyle Hocking flew over the scene on Friday morning to assess the damage and debris.
“This tree has been splintered into pieces, it’s split right from the top down,” he says. “Some of the limbs that have splintered off this tree damaged a shed.”
“The tree itself will now likely have to be removed.”
Paramedics tell CityNews both homes were occupied at the time. Several people were assessed at the scene and two were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Jane was closed in both directions due to scattered debris covering the road. The street has since reopened to traffic.
HAZARD:
7:00pm
– Jane St & Methuen Ave area
– lighting struck a tree
– debris covering the road
– no injuries reported
– police o/s
– @Toronto_Fire o/s
ROAD CLOSURES
– north and southbound Jane St. from Methuen Ave to Harshaw Ave
– consider alternate routes #GO1690609
^av— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 20, 2023
Officials in York Region believe lightning may have also been the cause of a Thursday night fire that ripped through a group of homes under construction in Richmond Hill. All the damaged homes were unoccupied and no injuries were reported.
Storms moved through the GTA on Thursday evening, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds.
Severe thunderstorm watches that were in place across the GTA have since ended.
