STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 243, 14 October 1939, Page 8

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

HOUSE AT WAIROA WOMAN’S TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE ( Per Pres. Association.) WAIROA, Oct. 13. A terrifying experience befell Mrs. B. A. Yelverton in her home in Northclyde, Wairoa, yesterday afternoon, during the worst thunder storm experienced in this district for many years. Mrs. Yelverton was alone in the house, her husband being at work, when a clap of thunder following a vivid flash of lightning, appeared to shake the house on its foundations. The telephone was immediately put out of action and at the same time Mrs. Yelverton was shaken by a violent shock. She managed to remain on her feet, however, and on recovering from the shock, noticed that the wireless set was on lire. Dashing to the sink, she secured a basin of water which she threw over the set in an effort to put the fire out and this method being unsuccessful she snatched the set from its shelf and put it into the sink where she allowed the water to run over it. The set was. of course, ruined. All electrical fittings in the house were put out of action, but no other damage was done. It is surmised that the lightning travelled along the wireless aerial and the telephone wires. Mrs. Y'eiverton has now recovered from her shock. The house next door to that occupied by the Yelvertons also suffered, all electrical fittings being put out of action. This place is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. I. A. Poyzer. Lightning also struck a house owned by Mr. H. L. Harker, and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Kelly in the same street. Fire breaking out in the dining-room, Mrs. Kelly immediately communicated with the fire brigade and it was then discovered that the sirens used for summoning the tiremen had also been put out or action. As many as possible of Hie firemen were communicated with by telephone and considering the difficulties, the brigade was soon on the scene. The fire by this time had a good hold, but the brigade lost little time in getting the flames under control the fire being confined to one room. Most of the electrical wiring in the house was burnt out. Fortunately the storm did not last very long and none of the services in the borough suffered.