Despite the gallons of free water pouring from the sky, Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte said thunderstorms actually present serious danger for firefighters when battling a fire, just as Thursday evening’s severe storm did for the firefighters battling the blaze at American International College.
Firefighters were at the college at 5:30 p.m. on July 27, battling not only a two-alarm fire taking over the roof of Courniotes Hall but heavy, torrential rain, and lightning striking down from the sky.