Lightning strike in Narrowsburg

NARROWSBURG, NY — “A man gets struck by lightning and lives. That’s big news.” That was 92-year-old Anthony DeMato’s explanation of what happened to him on April 2 at his house on Route 97 near Peck’s Market. DeMato said he was cleaning his stove when he saw a bright flash of light outside. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground, knocked over by the force of a lighting bolt hitting the house.

Tusten resident Lance Mercado happened to be driving by right as the lightening struck, saw what happened, went inside and hustled DeMato outside because the house had filled with smoke. DeMato said the strike took out his stove, his refrigerator and destroyed his television.

The Narrowsburg Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, but the house did not catch fire.

The lightning strike also knocked down a couple of trees on a property across the street.