ELECTRICAL STORM

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3664, 6 February 1940, Page 4

ELECTRICAL STORM

WIND OF HIGH VELOCITY, EXPLOSION AT SUB-STATION A severe thunderstorm was experienced in Cambridge early on Sunday morning. Vivid lightning was followed by heavy crashes of thunder, during which time rain fell continuously and the wind reached gale force. The Cambridge Power Board's service at Leamington was affected by the lightning, several parts /of the district being without power for over half an hour. The staff had effected temporary repairs at the Leamington substation and the current had just been switched on, when there was a loud report. The station was filled with smoke, and flames leaped high to the roof. Mr H. J. Nelson, who was in the building, quickly operated the breaker and no damage was done. Fortunately he escaped injuryOther members of the staff were near the door and escaped the flames. A hole about a foot in diameter was blown in the wire-net-ting guard. ■: Other minor interruptions were caused by the storm. Several power poles were blown down and others were pushed out of alignment. The rain commenced on Saturday morning, causing an abandonment of all sport in the afternoon. This was the fourth consecutive wet week-end. >s%$ r > 'c > . »0";: The week-end rainfall was .85 inchse. .;•:...;