First responders across the Mid-Ohio Valley got an unusual test last week when a vicious thunderstorm that included high winds, hail and lightning led to poor visibility, dangerous driving conditions and at least one fire.

A Reno Volunteer Fire Department crew was tending to downed power lines when it got the call to respond to a fire that sparked in an attic when lightning struck a house.

“They did a great job at stopping it, and the fire mostly just damaged the attic,” said Reno Fire Chief Jon Bradford.

Then they were asked to respond to another fire, despite the storm making it “dangerous and tricky” to get to the scene. Not only were there larger downed trees, but plenty of other debris on the roads, along with squalling rain and pounding hail.

“I had to call in the (Washington County) sheriff’s office to assist with traffic because the smoke was so heavy and visibility was zero,” Bradford said. “It was very dangerous for about 15-20 minutes because you couldn’t see 10 feet in front of you.”

Yet they were out in it, serving the rest of us during a storm that had just about everyone else hunkering down inside. Emergency crews responded to a fire and downed power lines in Wood County, too.

Unusual storm or not, it’s all part of the job for those who choose to become first responders. For that, the rest of us are grateful. Thank you, folks!