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Lightning strike injures 7 in Louisiana during July 4th event

By Doug G. Ware

SABINE PARISH, La., July 5 (UPI) -- More than a half-dozen people were injured in Louisiana during a Fourth of July celebration this weekend, authorities said, as a strong storm moved in Saturday night.

Those injured were attending an Independence Day celebration in Sabine Parish when the storm rumbled overhead and lightning suddenly struck a tree nearby. The electricity in the strike was powerful enough that it also made contact with seven party goers.

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"At the time of the local holiday festivities, around 7:30 p.m., dozens of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were detected," Weather Channel Meteorologist Jon Erdman said.

A fireworks display the group was anticipating had been canceled, due to weather, but officials say the people hung around for a while and were simply in a dangerous place when the lightning struck.

KSLA-TV reported that a camper and a pickup truck were also damaged by lightning.

Lightning strikes are rare, but can most certainly be deadly. However, none of the seven victims are in danger of dying, officials said. Their injuries ranged from a headache to chest pains.

Sabine Parish is located about 80 miles south of Shreveport, along the state's western border with Texas.

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