Police and fire officials in South Meriden are trying to vent the upper section of a factory building after a fire broke out due to a possible lightning strike, authorities said.
The building adjoins an antiques shop at 763 Hanover Road in Meriden.
Firefighters faced a tough battle, pulling apart the roof to vent the fire in the rafters.
"The sprinkler system was operating, but the fire was above the sprinkler system so they had to go in there and manually fight the fire," said Meriden Fire Chief James Trainor.
According to Trainor, 911 callers "reported that there was smoke coming from the vent and that the building had also been struck by lightning."
Employees at Preisner Pewter LLC., located at 735 Hanover Road next door to the fire, said the flames appeared to be contained to the inside of the building.
Trainor said the building's fire sprinklers did go off, but that the fire was
No injuries were reported, but one person was taken to the hospital after suffering an anxiety attack, Trainor said.
Hanover Road was closed between Piedmont Street and Prospect Avenue in South Meriden but has since reopened.
An NBC Connecticut crew is at the scene.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
