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Lightning Strikes Behind Furniture Store Sending Two Men To Hospital

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TAMARAC (CBSMiami) – Tamarac Fire Rescue said a lightning strike behind City Furniture's distribution center sent two men to the hospital Thursday.

The incident happened at 6701 Hiatus Road at around 3 p.m.

Tamarac Fire Chief Mike Burton said the two men in the vicinity were not directly struck by the lightning.

According to City Furniture, the two people hurt were an employee and a customer.

The employee was helping the customer restart his stalled car when they felt the effects of the lightning bolt.

One man was knocked off his feet, while the other, who was in contact with metal, was shocked.

"It appears one of the gentlemen had his hand up against a pole and from the strike in the area, it threw him backward on the ground," said Tamarac Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Percy Sayles.

Fire rescue took one man to Broward Health north and the other was taken to Broward Health Medical Center. Both were in stable condition.

While neither man was seriously hurt, the fire department says it's a timely reminder about what to do when lightning is in the area.

"A good rule is because we do live in a lightning capital there when you see inclement weather go inside and be safe," said Sayles.

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