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Strong Storm Hits; Causes Minor Damage, Traps Fire Crew (With Photo Gallery)

A surprise heavy thunderstorm in North Escambia Friday afternoon caused scattered damage in several communities, prompted reports of a tornado and even led to a crew being trapped in a fire truck.

The first reports of damage came from Barth Lane where several residents reported a possible tornado touchdown just after 5 p.m. Other residents reported seeing a possible funnel cloud above the treetops. There was minor damage reported with small tree limbs downed, a shed damaged and outside items tossed about. First responders reported hail in the area of Champion Drive in McDavid shortly after the reported tornado sightings.

For a photo gallery of damage around the area, click here.

There was no tornado indicated on radar in the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Trees and power lines were reported down in several locations in Barth, Molino, Barrineau Park and near Enon. There was an area of concentrated minor damage in the area of Barrineau Park Road, Barrineau Park School Road, Highway 99 and Settle Road where trees and power lines were downed. One home on South Highway 99 near Black Berry Lane received minor damage with vinyl siding ripped from the side of the two story home and a trampoline tossed over a chain link fence. A tree was also downed in the roadway on Molino Road near Highway 95A.

Those downed power lines caused problems for three volunteers with the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.  While responding to damage reports, their fire truck collided with falling power lines on Barrineau Park Road just west of Barrineau Park School Road. After hitting the Gulf Power lines, the truck became entangled in additional downed lines.

The fire department volunteers spent about 20 minutes trapped in their fire truck as they waited for Gulf Power to arrive and cut power to the electrical system in the area. As they waited, power lines could been seen near the truck arcing and causing tree limbs to smolder.

The firemen were uninjured in the incident. The fire engine received minor damage in the incident.

Gulf Power Company said about 1,500 customers in the Molino area lost power as a result of the storm. An unknown number of Bright House Networks customers lost power and internet service as well.

A few Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers also lost power. On South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A, downed power lines sparked a brush fire over several acres. The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry were able to contain the blaze with no damage to nearby structures.

For a photo gallery of damage around the area, click here.

Pictured top: Three Molino firefighters were trapped in their truck after hitting power lines on Barrineau Park Road Friday afternoon. Pictured top inset: A large tree limb was downed on Barrineau Park School Road. Pictured bottom inset: This trampoline was tossed over a fence at this home on South Highway 99 near Black Berry Lane. Siding was also ripped from the home. Pictured below: Downed power lines sparked a brush fire on South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.