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Lightning strikes near store

New London Family Dollar temporarily shuts down

By Scott Bellile


New London firefighters responded to Family Dollar Thursday, Aug. 13, for an electrical problem they determined had likely resulted from a lightning strike behind the building.

Around 5 p.m., an employee with Family Dollar called New London Fire Department to report issues with an electrical box during an evening thunderstorm. Assistant Fire Chief Dick Muskevitsch said a lightning bolt likely caused a power surge.

Firefighters found a wire on the east side of the Wolf River Plaza building cut in two and power to the store’s back storage room cut off, Muskevitsch said. An electric meter behind the building was dead.

Josh Jirikowic of New London was eating at Hong Kong Buffet with his family when he witnessed a nearby lightning strike outside the window. He speculated lightning struck the building.

“That was weird,” Jirikowic said. “The lights … were flickering and then it was like, what the heck is going on?”

Family Dollar management hung a sign on the door stating the business was closed due to electrical issues. The sign was removed shortly afterward. Muskevitsch said the matter was resolved.

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