Lightning Strikes Citgo Gas Station in Pennington

hopewell fireLightning struck the Citgo Gas Station at the corner of Route 546 and Reed Road around 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, catching the roof on fire and causing several homes in the area to be evacuated.

Route 546 between the Pennington Circle and Scotch Road were closed traffic. Parts of Ingleside Avenue and Reed Road near Route 546 were also closed. The Hopewell Township Police and Hopewell Valley Fire Departments investigated the lightning strike. Area roads were reopened just before 4:30 p.m., police said.

No injuries were reported.

The storm that passed through Central New Jersey also took down several trees. Traffic lights on Route 1 south in South Brunswick were not working because downed trees took hit power lines. In Princeton a tree fell on Elm Road, blocking the road and causing major traffic delays in the area. Trees were also down on Moore, Hodge, and Springdale.