A swift but strong thunder and lightning storm swept through the Attleboro area early Thursday morning, causing flash flooding and sparking numerous lightning strikes and power outages. The storm hit about 8 a.m., but was pretty much out of the area by 8:30 a.m. Heavy rain continued off and on afterward, however. A home on East Hodges Street in Norton was reported hit by lightning, but the homeowner put out a dryer fire before firefighters arrived, a public safety dispatcher said. In Wrentham, the steeple of the Original Congregational Church downtown across from the town common was reported struck by lightning, and firefighters were investigating. In North Attleboro, an address on Rosemary Road was reported hit as well. Houses were reported hit by lightning on Providence Street and another road in Rehoboth. In Seekonk, Attleboro firefighters helped respond to 12 Sims Ave. for a reported lightning strike and house fire In Mansfield, lightning struck two homes and a dance school just after 8 a.m. and were among 12 alarms in a two-hour period.

At Miss Cindy’s School of Dance on East Street near Franklin Street in Mansfield, lightning struck a utility pole across the street. The charge from the lightning went through the wires and caused damage to two electrical circuits, acting fire Lt. John Robbins said. Lightning also struck houses at 380 Pratt St. and 170 Stearns Ave., both less than a mile from the dance school. Robbins said there was an odor of smoke in both homes but no fire.Several area roads were flooded and blocked, and firefighters also responded to several reports of building flooding. Seekonk Police were directing traffic around street flooding at the intersection of Newman and Central avenues and Pine Street. There were also numerous fire and security alarms sounding off. The morning storm followed similar but weaker storms Wednesday that saw several lightning strikes but less rain. Stormy weather is forecast into tonight, with flash flood warnings. )