TEMPLETON — A lightning strike ignited a fire at the Scout Hall on Patriots Road Friday afternoon, sending smoke from the building’s cupola and prompting a multi-town fire response, according to the Templeton Fire Department.
Firefighters were dispatched at 3:59 p.m. after someone reported a lightning strike at 135 Patriots Road. Templeton’s first engine and rescue crew arrived quickly, followed by additional responders in two fire department SUVs. When crews arrived on scene, they saw smoke and flames coming from the top of the building and immediately declared it a working fire.
Mutual aid was requested from neighboring towns. Gardner firefighters responded with one of their fire engines, while Phillipston provided coverage at Templeton’s station and handled other emergency calls in the area.
Firefighters from Templeton and Gardner worked together to quickly knock down the flames, preventing the fire from spreading beyond the cupola. Crews stayed on scene for several hours performing cleanup and checking for hidden hot spots, even as a second round of thunderstorms rolled in.
Templeton Fire officials thanked all mutual aid partners, including the Gardner Fire Department for on-site support, Phillipston Fire Department for covering other calls, and Templeton Light and Power for assisting at the scene.
“Thanks to all involved for their professionalism and teamwork during a complex and weather-affected incident,” the department said in a statement.
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