Freaks of Lightning.

Manawatu Herald, 15 June 1893, Page 3

Freaks of Lightning.

The residence of Mr Geo. Harper, Mount Eden, Auckland, had a narrow escape from destruction on Saturday. During a heavy thunderstorm the full force of the electric current struck a pine tree adjacent to the house. The bark of the tree was stripped circuitously from top to bottom, and even the roots were bared. The other pine trees were also damaged, in consequence of a wire clothes-line connecting them with the first one struck. The bark was stripped down to the earth from where the wire encircled each tree. The wire was all twisted up, and fused at the end. The trees were also split. In • one instance the electric current followed a root and burnt it up close to the front door throwing some earth on the verandah. Apparently the fluid next passed up on either a water or a gas pipe, and it must then have been attracted by the metal at the keyhole of the front door, as the lock was shattered and the door thrown open. At the same time the woodwork was uninjured. The house seemed full of sulphurous vapour. Thirty- three panes of glass were broken in the windows, the lights in the hall windows were broken, the gas fittings disarranged and several globes broken. One peculiar feature was that glass from the broken window was thrown outside. The. pieces of bark from trees were also found inside the house, one being about two feet in length and nine inches in width. A small piece was found in one of the beds. Yesterday Mr Harper's home presented the appearance of having stood a 6eige, the windows all being fixed up with sacks. Panes in the adjoining houses, those ot Messrs Ball and Stephens, were also broken, probably by concussion. -- Press Association.