NELSON STARTLED.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 177, 12 July 1927, Page 7

NELSON STARTLED.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING CHIMNEY OF HOUSE STRUCK. Nelson, July 11. A single clap of thunder that startled Nelson about 11 o’clock yesterday morning was accompanied by a lightening flash which found its billet in the chimney of a house in Shelbourne street, occupied by Mr. J. G. Dykes, manager of the Bank of New Zealand. All the family were at homo when the flash occurred. T?iey were suddenly startled by a particularly loud report, followed by a clasn a’l close quarters. A sheet of flame accompanied by several bricks, shot out of the dining-room fireplace and tho rooms became full of dust from the explosion. Nothing further occurred and an inspection showed that two sides of tm? chimney above tho roof had been Wown away, scattering bricks ami mortar over a large area of lawn. The chimney was cracked at the base and will probably have to be rebuilt The electric lighting throughout the house was also put out of commission. The telephone service in the locality was also disorganised. The thunderclap was perhaps tho severest experienced in Nelson for very many years. Tt followed immediately on tho lightning fash, anil many people who were watching the hailstorm through windows wore considerably via riled