Lightning strikes a father and daughter
A father and daughter were attending a church-sponsored youth fundraiser while a thunderstorm was crossing the area. The two believed that they were safe because they were inside the church building. Lightning struck the unprotected building and carried a current through the metal structural beams and components of the church. The father and daughter were believed to have been touching a metal rail or a door handle when the lightning struck, resulting in an indirect shock to both people. Both were seriously shaken by the event and were transported via Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital. They were released later that day without any long-term effects.
Lightning caused electrical surge and damaged pipe organ
During an electrical storm, a church incurred a direct strike to the building, which caused over $100,000 damage to the church organ. The cause of loss was listed as a power surge created by a lightning strike. The organ damage was so extensive that it was posted as a total loss.
Fire to church building from direct lightning strike
During a thunderstorm, lighting struck a woodframed, brick veneer church. A fire started on the roof and quickly engulfed the property in flames. The fire burned the church to the ground. The total loss of the building and its contents cost more than $1 million. An investigator determined that the property did not have a lightning protection system or a sprinkler system, either of which might have prevented the loss.
Related articles:
When lightning strikes
Lightning protection
Lightning safety
Surge protection
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