Apparently the same storm we got here in Fairfax around 5:45 hit Essex a little earlier and gave them a busy evening as people were evacuated from their homes because of a gas leak that occured when a transformer was blown off a pole around the five corners.
The flames seen are the gas burning off from the leak.
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos/power_090706.jpg)
You can click on the link for more on the story:
http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=10653073 (http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=10653073)