By Angel Perkins Correspondent
BOURBON — Ironically, as the nation was brought to the awareness of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Bourbon firefighters were busy Wednesday with putting out a fire at the Wadel home at 10155 Gumwood Rd. because of a lightning strike that snuck through the clouds during a passing storm.

The bolt snaked down a tree at the front of the home; the current traveled to the aluminum gutter surround referred to as a "faschia" before then shooting out the back of the home right under the roofline at the chimneys.The damage caused by the strike, not including any water damage, or electric re-wiring that may be needed-was estimated at roughly $1,000. Homeowner Laverne Wadel was at work when the lightning hit the home he and his family have lived in for the past seven years at about 2:15 p.m., but his wife Donelly, their daughter, 3-year-old Lindsay and son, 21-month-old Gareth, were inside the home at the time.
"There was a flash and a crash," Donelly explained. "I smelled the smoke and we got out."
The three, plus the family dog Teddy, sought shelter within the family's mini-van until firefighters cleared the scene for re-entry.
Bourbon Fire Department volunteers managed the scene and were assisted by Multi-Township EMS.