FIERCE STORM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 5

FIERCE STORM

LIGHTNING STRIKE DAMAGE IN HOMES TWO FIRES START TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE BRIGADE SIREN FAILS ( Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this dav.

Rather a terrifying experience betel Mrs. B. A. Yelvorton in her home. North Clyde, Wairoa, yesterday arte.noon, during the worst thunderstorm experienced by this district for many years.

Mrs. Yclverton was alone in the house, her husband being at work, when a clan of thunder, following a vivid flash of lightning, appeared to shake the house on its foundations. The telephone was immediately put out of action, and at the same time Mrs. Yclverton was shaken by a violent shock. She managed to remain on her feet, however, and on recovering from the shock noticed that the wireless set was ablaze.

Dashing to the sink, she secured a basin of water, which she threw over the set in an effort to put the fire out, and this method being unsuccessful she snatched the set from its shelf and put it into the sink, where she allowed the water to run over it. By this means she was successful m quenching the flames, out the set was, of course, completely ruined. Fittings I’ut Out of Action

All electrical fittings in the house were pul out of action, but no other damage was done. It is surmised that the lightning travelled along the wireless aerial and telephone wires. Mrs. Yclverton has now completely recovered from her shock. The house next door to that occupied by the Yelvertons also suffered, all electrical fittings being put out of action. This place is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. I. Poyzer.

Lightning also struck a house owned by Mr. H. L. Harker and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Kelly in the same street, fire breaking out in the dining-room. Mrs. Kelly immediately communicated with the Fire Brigade, and it was then discovered that the sirens used for summoning the firemen had also been put out of action.

As many as possible of the firemen were communicated, with by telephone, and considering the difficulties the brigade was soon on the scene. The fire by this time had a good hold, but the brigade lost little time in getting the flames under con troi, the fire being confined to one wall of the dining-room. Most of the electrical wiring in the house was burnt out.

Fortunately the storm did not last very long, and none of the services in the borough suffered.