FL Firefighter Suffers Lightning Strike Injuries

A Melbourne firefighter suffered injuries from an indirect lightning strike that left him with ringing in his ears and the rest of the day off.

According to the newspaper Florida Today, Firefighter Steve Roberts was attempting to open a gate at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport when a lightning bolt hit the gate as he attempted to unlock it with a key.

Roberts had been driving an engine back to the airport’s Station 73 after a call when the incident occurred as a strong storm cell passed through the area Monday.

The paper reported that Roberts was conscious, but had ringing in his ears and was taken to the local regional medical center to be checked out.

He was expected to be back on duty Thursday, according to the paper.