HOUSE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 12

HOUSE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

HOMESTEAD AT RUSSELL’S FLAT DESTROYED When a large farmhouse at Russell’s Flat, Springfield, was struck by lightning on Tuesday afternoon, it caught alight, and was destroyed within an hour. The house, which was about three miles from Springfield, was owned by Mr A. Duncan, a farmer. Mr Duncan, who was alone in the house, was reading a newspaper when he heard the roar of flames. The house was found to be- well alight when he investigated. A neighbouring farmer said t'-cre had been thunder and lightning in the distance during the day. Shortly after 2 p.m. a huge sheet of lightning flashed into the sky, and this was followed by a loud clap of thunder. On looking about, he noticed a dense cloud of smoke issuing from Mr Duncan's homestead section. Although he could not see the house, he knew it must have caught alight. The smoke was then replaced by huge flames leaping above the level of the tree-tops. Some of Mr Duncan’s neighbours were on the scene within half an hour, but by this time the walls of the house were in flames, and nothing could be done to save it. In an hour it was burned to the ground. The house, of eight rooms, was old but in good repair. Mr Duncan saved only a few personal belongings.