Fire Chief: Lightning Bolt Ignited Fire At Shoe Factory

SKOWHEGAN, Maine - Maine fire officials say a bolt of lightning ignited a fire at a shoe factory in Skowhegan over the weekend.
 
The lightning strike started a fire Friday night at the New Balance factory, but firefighters were able to quickly respond and extinguish the flames. Skowhegan Fire Chief Shawn Howard says flames were visible from the roof around 6:30 p.m. Friday when firefighters arrived.
 
Howard says the fire will not impact operations at the shoe factory, and damage was limited to a small area. Several crews from surrounding communities also responded to the scene.