Ball Of Fire Falls In Dunedin Backyard

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1948, Page 3

Ball Of Fire Falls In Dunedin Backyard

DUNEDIN, Wed. (P.A.). —At the height of a sharp electrical storm which was experienced in Dunedin yesterday afternoon a ball of fire fell in the yard of a house in London Street, narrowly missing the occupier, Mrs P. Casserley, as she was carrying m a supply of coal.

The storm, which was preceded by numerous flashes of lightning and prolonged rolls of thunder, brought exceptionally heavy rain for upwards cf two hours. With the ball of fire came a deafening bang, which rattled windows in neighbouring houses. Mrs Casserley had gone into the washhouse to get coal. She crossed to the back door a few feet away and, on turning to close the door, she was startled by a vivid red ball-shaped mass behind her. As it hit the concrete flames broke out, but quickly died away. No damage resulted. The phenomenon is thought to have been a ball of lightning, which is of comparatively rare occurrence. While not affecting anything it does not directly touch, it may act explosively on any solid body coming within its path, and instances have been recorded of walls being demolished and holes some feet deep being' made in the ground.