Lightning and thunder awakened San Diegans early Monday and sparked several fires.
In North Park, resident Graden Tonna shot out of bed when she heard what she described as an explosion.
“It sounded like the sky was ripping open outside of our window,” Tonna said.
Tonna lives near the intersection of Dwight and 32nd Street where a utility pole burst into flames at approximately 3 a.m.
One couple who live on the corner told NBC 7 they had been listening to the thunder when they heard a blast right outside their window.
They came out to see the pole on fire. They immediately called 911.
San Diego Police and San Diego Fire-Rescue crews arrived. The street was quickly blocked off.
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San Diego Gas & Electric crews used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
In Valencia Park, lightning struck a palm tree and sparked a fire in the middle of the tree's trunk, according to SDFD officials.
