Elevator Entrapment, Homes Struck By Lightning In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —With storms over the past two nights, the Nottingham Fire Department handled two reports of lightning strikes at residences and helped free people from being stuck in elevators.

The fire company said it had five incidents Tuesday, including two in which people were trapped in elevators due to the storms.

Fire officials received a report at 4:17 p.m. of downed wires at Knights Inn, but said the call was unfounded

An hour later, several people were stuck in an elevator at Greenwood Square. Fire crews and the fire chief were able to free them. Shortly after, fire officials said they received another report of a stuck elevator at a business on Bristol Road.

Fire crews also were alerted to a possible apartment fire at Gateway Townhomes.

A caller reported a lightning strike to her apartment with a smoke condition. Fire crews found a fire in a crawl space that was quickly extinguished with help from Newport Fire Company and Penndel Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Station 8.

Meanwhile, on Monday afternoon, the fire company said that Engine 65 responded with Station 28 to Cedar Court for a reported apartment fire in which police reported heavy smoke in a townhouse/apartment.

Fire crews found careless cooking as the cause with only ventilation required.

Around 4:30 p.m. Monday, Ladder 65 was dispatched for a reported home struck by lightning.

The fire chief spotted smoke from the roof and found a small fire in the attic of one of the townhomes that was quickly extinguished.

While crews were operating there, companies were transmitted to Salem Crossing Apartments for a reported apartment fire. Fire officials said that also was from cooking and fans were used to ventilate the apartment.