Centralia Firemen were called out after lilghtning apparently hit on or near the flag pole of the VFW Building on South Pine Street. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
A lightning strike on or near the flag pole at the Centralia VFW in the 1800 block of South Pine early Friday night reportedly shook the building and caused a bench outside near the flag pole to lift off the ground.
Upon arrival, Centralia City Firefighters found the building had been evacuated. The lightning strike scattered some rocks at the base of the flag pole and created several holes. Those sitting on a bench near the flagpole told one firefighter the bench lifted up in the air. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
After checking the building for possible damage and fire, entry was allowed back into the VFW.
The incident occurred around 6:15 Friday in a thunderstorm that only resulted in light rain on the south side of Centralia.
Rocks were scattered at the base of a flag pole at the Centralia VFW following a lightning strike Friday night. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
