LIGHTNING AT TUAKAU.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1922, Page 7

LIGHTNING AT TUAKAU.

SOME NARROW ESCAPES. (By N.Z. Herald Correspondent.) Tuakau, March 24. An alarming experience befel residents of Tuakau South at about 8.45 o’clock on Tuesday morning. At this time a vivid flash of lightning struck the residence of Mr. T. W. Lapwood. The chimney was levelled to the roof of the house, and bricks were hurled in all directions, some a distance of three and four chains away. The lightning travelled down the chimney, the plate being crumpled, while the lids and doors of the oven were blown off. One corner of the house was considerably damaged. The stud to which the weather boards were nailed was smashed to pieces, while the spouting was also torn away. The telephone wire was severed at the connection to the house. Mrs. Lapwood and her daughter were in the kitchen at the time, but beyond receiving a severe shock were fortunately uninjured. The adjoining house, occupied by Mr. R. M. Keppel, was passed over. The next house, occupied by Mr. G. S. Lapwood, was struck, but not damaged. Mrs. G. S. Lapwood, who was leaning over a tub next the clothes wringer, was struck on the right side of her body, and rendered unconscious for a brief period. Her right leg below the knee was severely burned, while the ankle was badly sprained, no doubt by a fall after she had been rendered unconscious. The unfortunate lady, although suffering from shock and the injury, is progressing favorably. In the house adjoining that of Mr. G. S. Lapwood, and occupied by Mr. A. Lapwood, a little girl was knocked over by the force of the concussion, but fortunately was not hurt. A peculiar feature about the whole incident is that only one flash of lightning was seen, and simultaneously a terrific peal of thunder was heard. No further damage has been reported.