Investigators are looking into the possibility that lightning may have sparked the fire that damaged Kloter Farms in Ellington Wednesday.
A surveillance camera from a gas station near the business on West Road captured a lightning strike on or near Kloter Farms the morning of the fire, according to Todd Root, director of marketing for Kloter Farms, said. The fire didn't start right away, but the Fire Marshal is investigating whether it may have caused the blaze, Root said.
An employee inside one of the buildings heard a loud bang before the flames erupted Wednesday. The flames caused millions of dollars of damage to the company that makes wooded sheds, gazebos and furniture.
Robert J. Theriaque, who works at Dymotek near Kloter Farms, submitted this video of the raging fire.
The country store, where customers buy home furnishings and homemade furniture, was a total loss, according to Root.
Kloter Farms has opened a temporary showroom on its property. The Fourth of July weekend is one of the company's biggest each year, and they are open for business, Root said.
