A Palmerton resident's garage was hit by lightning on Monday evening, resulting in interior damage.

During a violent storm in the late afternoon, lightning struck John MacDonald's garage on Wood Road.The bolt hit a topcorner of the garage, initially causing smoldering, which progressed to fire. MacDonald said his neighbors reported hearing a loud "boom" beforehand.Local volunteer fire companies, including Polk Township, West End and Kunkletown, were dispatched to the scene at 4:20 p.m. Additional help was called in from Towamensing Fire Department.Quick thinking by MacDonald helped to prevent what could have been far more significant damage."He had a good stop on it before we got there. He hit it with a garden hose. It definitely helped him save his garage," Polk Township Fire Chief Billy Tippett said.Aside from a burn mark at the impact point, nearly all damage to the garage was internal.