MELBOURNE, Fla. – It proved to be a stormy Monday for Melbourne rescue workers in more ways than one, from responding to flooding rains and an alligator attack.
One Melbourne firefighter also found himself on the receiving end of emergency care after an indirect strike from a bolt of lightning left him "ringing," officials said.
“He’s OK, but that was too close for comfort,” Melbourne Fire Chief Chuck Bogle told News 6 partner Florida Today. “We got him checked out and sent him home for the day. If he needs more than that, he can take as much time as he needs."
The firefighter, identified as Steve Roberts, was driving a fire engine crew back to Station 73 at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport just as a strong cell of Melbourne moved through the area. “They were returning from a call,” Bogle said, adding that the weather was particularly rough at the time.
Roberts, in the driver’s seat, pulled up to a security gate with two other firefighters onboard when he attempted to use a key to get back to the bay. It was then that a bolt of lightning struck the fence, hitting Roberts as he held a key to open the gate.
“He had some ringing in the ears but he was conscious,” said Bogle, adding that an ambulance was called out to take Roberts to Holmes Regional Medical Center for a complete checkup.
Roberts is expected to return to work by Thursday, the start of his regular weekly shift.