WOODSTOCK – A bolt of lightning hit the Masonic Lodge in Bryant Pond Village Monday night, blowing off the caps on the three flues as it raced down the three-story chimney, lodge members said.
Masons were holding their monthly meeting on the second floor when the lightning hit at 7:19 p.m. with a thunderous clap. The organization’s treasurer had announced just moments before that the insurance bill on the building had been paid.
“It blew all the doors open,” lodge Secretary Ray Hakala said as he stood near firetrucks and solicited photographs for the lodge archives from one of the spectators ogling the scene.
There was minimal damage to the 123-year-old building, Woodstock Fire Chief Geff Inman said. Firefighters had to open the roof to get at the small flame underneath, which was also attacked by firefighters inside the building.
“These buildings tend to be dry,” Inman said, pointing to the historic buildings that line Main Street in the village. “We had to get everything ready before the roof opened. We needed hoses ready and lots of water before we vented it.”
Hakala said the 16 lodge members at the meeting reacted quickly after the lightning hit, grabbing photographs, books and regalia and carrying everything next door to the Grange Hall.
After the fire was extinguished, a tarp was attached to the hole in the roof to protect the building from rain.
Central Maine Power Co. turned off power to the building as a precaution and traffic was rerouted around the small section of Main Street, or Route 26, that travels through Bryant Pond.
Woodstock, Greenwood, Bethel, Newry and Andover fire departments responded to the scene, as well as Tri-town Rescue.
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