Firefighter Hospitalized After Lightning Strike

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BOCA RATON (CBSMiami) – Three Boca Raton firefighters were  wrapping up equipment after putting out a small lightning-related fire at a Boca Raton home on Tuesday when another lightning strike sent all three to a hospital.

Boca Raton Assistant Fire Chief Michael Lasalle says one of them – a 22-year veteran of the department – remains at Delray Medical Center for tests and observation after being thrown by the impact of the lightning strike.

"It's a dangerous job as we know and now, you're dealing with Mother Nature," LaSalle said.

Others said the lightning strikes should be a wake-up call for everyone.

"When I heard the radio transmission I got goosebumps and I just want the public to know that lightning storms, they're nothing to fool around with," said LaSalle. "You should seek shelter."

Practically everyone in South Florida dealt with Mother Nature on Tuesday as angry clouds and threatening skies blanketed much of our area. Drivers saw long, low-hanging clouds known as shelf clouds and drivers dodged raindrops on their rides home.

At Holiday Park in the Everglades, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue brought three boaters who went out to recover an airboat that sank a few days ago. They got stuck in the wicked weather.. and first responders brought them to safety.

"These storms rolled in and they were surrounded by the storms and lightning and from what I understand the boat filled up real quick and they got in trouble real fast," said the mom of at least one of the boaters, Tamara Peterson.

Back in Palm Beach County, a reminder of just how vulnerable first responders – like that hospitalized firefighter – are when trying to protect and serve in severe weather.

"We're very thankful that he's OK," LaSalle said. "Looks like he's gonna pull through and everything's gonna be OK."