Lightning strikes are believed to be the cause of disruption in telephone service at the Transport Control Department yesterday.

TCD Director Randy Brangman advised the public that TCD was experiencing "a complete shutdown of service" early yesterday. The lines were restored by 11.15 a.m., Mr. Brangman said.

BTC spokeperson Ona Fletcher insisted the service was restored much sooner ? at 9.40 a.m.

A Cobbs Hill Road, Warwick, home sustained severe smoke damage after a structural fire yesterday, the Bermuda Fire Service said.

"There was a lot of damage," BFS spokesperson Lt. Dana Lovell said. "I understand the tenants were just moving in."

Lt. Lovell said the worst damage was in the kitchen and to the ceiling.

Low cost airliner USA3000 will begin direct service from a third city tomorrow.

Twice-weekly service between Bermuda and Philadelphia will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays with fares as low as $79 one way. In a Press release, acting Tourism Minister Walter Lister said: "Of all the new routes that have commenced in the last few years, USA300's flights from Baltimore and Newark have proven to be two of the most popular with load factors over 80 percent. USA3000 began serving Bermuda from Baltimore last May and in September added a Newark run.