Barn Burns During Severe Storm

On August 30, 1950 in the evening hours a severe thunderstorm rolled through the valley dropping an inch of rain. The Vigilant Hose Company was sent to the Raymond Zeek residence in Upper Strasburg when lightning struck the chimney. Seconds later a barn fire was reported at the Lester Mellinger farm near Huntsdale. A bolt of lightning struck the barn causing it's total destruction. The Cumberland Valley Hose, Union's of Carlisle and Mt. Holly fire companies answered the alarm. After the Vigilant's arrived at the scene in Upper Strasburg they learned that the home owner extinguished the blaze and they also responded to the barn fire.