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Lightning strike damages tree in RCMP parking lot

Lightning strike on tree between Knights of Pythias Hall and Revelstoke RCMP detachment parking lot sends shower of splinters through parking lot, up to about 50 metres away.
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An RCMP member checks for damage on a truck parked right next to a tree that took a lightning strike on late Saturday afternoon.

A lightning bolt struck a tree next to the Revelstoke RCMP detachment parking lot on Saturday afternoon, sending a shower of large splinters across the parking lot.

The strike ripped a strip out of the tree from top to bottom, and also dug a small trench near its base. It also kicked off a small chunk of curb, moving it a couple of metres.

A few pieces of wood the size of rolling pins were flung about 50 metres, some landing down Third Street closer to the Powder Springs hotel.

The blast set off a commercial alarm about half a block away.

It didn't appear that anyone was injured in the strike, but the tree's future looks questionable.

Residents living near downtown Revelstoke heard three distinct lightning strikes just after 5 p.m., followed by a sudden downpour.