Lightning and thunder storms caused $5,000 damage to a Pembroke home and led a Bermuda Fire Service spokesman to urge the public to invest in surge protectors for their more sensitive electrical equipment.

Lightning struck a home in Tulo Lane and blew a hole in the ceiling and also caused a small brush fire in the Coney Island camp grounds. Bermuda Fire Service spokesman Lt. Dana Lovell added that there were several other reports of damage to televisions and computers. The Pembroke home was hit just before 2.57 a.m. on Sunday and the lightning storm caused a five-foot by five-foot hole in the ceiling.

Mr. Lovell said along with the damage to the ceiling there was also damage to the kitchen cabinets, microwave and dishes and the damage was estimated at $5000.

Lt. Lovell urged the public to use surge protectors on their valuable electrical equipment, like computers, microwaves and televisions. "If there is a power surge, they will switch off immediately, rather than the items being ruined," said Lt. Lovell.

Ten minutes before the Pembroke incident, the Bermuda Fire Service also received a call from a family camping in Coney Island area. "The fire was two-feet by two feet and it was extinguished by bystanders before the fire appliances arrived," said Mr. Lovell.