NERVE-WRACKING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1922, Page 5

NERVE-WRACKING.

LIGHTNING STRIKES A HOUSE. A TERRIBLE TRIAL. SOUTH TARANAKI INCIDENT. To be present in a room when what is believed to be a thunderbolt came hurtling down, the chimney and exploded with a deafening detonation, and emerge from it all unscathed, was the never-to-be-forgotten experience of nine people at Taranaki on Friday night. Details of the experience were supplied to a Dominion reporter by Mr. C. Haynes, of Molesworth Street, who returned to Wellington on Monuay morning.

Mr. Haynes states that he and MTs. Haynes were paying a visit to their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. tC. Haynes, junr., at Taikato Road, Otakeho, and on Good Friday went to spend the evening with some neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. McCook. There were nine guests present, and a number were seated close to the fire. Shortly after 9 o’clock, a thunder storm, occurred, and suddenly a aide window crashed in as the result of being struck by a flash of lightning. The electrical disturbance which followed set the place in a state of chaos, the chimney being demolished, the paper on the* wall blackened beyond recognition, kettles thrown, from the grate to under the table, a plate-rack shattered, and soot showered in every direction. Bricks -from the chimney were scattered over the roof, and found a resting place in a neighboring paddock, and the explosion was heard five miles away. The occupants of the room had a miraculous escape from serious injury. Mrs. McCook collapsed, and was removed to her room, where she remained the following day still suffering from shock. Another occupant had a narrow escape from injury, a brick from the chimney grazing his nose. I Only one thing remained untouched—? the kerosene lamp. Mr. Haynes describes the experience' as one through which he never desiree to pass again. “Everything came and went so suddenly,” he said. “Following the flash of Lightning which broke the window. I heard a terrific explosion down the chimney, and the next thing L remember was that I was in the middle of the room, bereft of all sense of reason. The house shook in its foundations, swaying and rocking like a swing boat. There was great confusion all over the place, and I could feel my face covered with soot. The plate-rack was blown right across the room, and the chimney smashed to smithereens. The kettles were thrown fully eight feet from the fireplace to under the table. I did not know where I was; but I remember seeing Mrs. McCook lying prostrate on the floor, and I called to my wife to see if she was all right. • About half an hour after the explosion rain fell with torrential -force, and I knew then that we were free from any further trouble. I think we were very lucky in escaping death, but,” he added w jth a smile, “I ruined a new suit over it.” Very little of what occurred is re-, membered by Mrs. Haynes. She can recall running to the door after the explosion, but as she opened it a flash of lightning blinded her, and she returned to the room, saying: “I’ll die here.” She noticed the presence of a ■most obnoxious odour, and could not see for the smoke and soot. The next Mrs. Haynes remembered was her husband’s inquiry as to whether she was all right. Later in the evening a daughter or Mr. Haynes, jun., who was in bed -at the time of the explosion, stated that she saw something resembling a •'ball of fire” pass her window, and swerve to the left of the factory. Then ehe heard the explosion. Two of the gueste, who are returned soldiers, stated that never in their experience had they encountered anything as nerve-wracking