Lightning strikes houses as storms topple trees, cause power outages in Mass.

BOSTON — Lightning struck houses in Norwell and Shrewsbury as severe thunderstorms toppled trees, flooded streets and caused power outages in several area communities.

Wednesday's storms led to several weather alerts, including flood watches across Massachusetts.

In Holliston, high winds took down at least two large trees, and uprooted one of them.

Over in Shrewsbury, firefighters responded to an attic fire sparked by lightning that struck the roof of a house on Appaloosa Drive at 3:45 p.m. Nobody was home at the time and no injuries were reported.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported a total of 7,481 power outages statewide as of 6:17 p.m.

By 11 p.m., MEMA was reporting 6,684 power outages statewide.

The MBTA reported "significant delays" on the Franklin Line  after a powerline caught fire near the train tracks between Dedham Corp. and Endicott.

In Waltham, a utility pole caught fire after it was struck by lightning at Trapelo Road at Pine Vale Road.

Quincy authorities closed Quincy Shore Drive at Bay State Road for street flooding, which was also reported on Cottage Avenue.

Several people tweeted out photographs of lightning strikes and trees down on Wednesday, including a lightning strike on Boston's Prudential Tower.

Cox Media Group