Lightning strike

[GaryH]

After 3 weeks we’re getting back to normal. At 1:15 am we got awoken by a large bang and the house shook. Power went off then came back on. Approximately 3 seconds later a second bang and our bedroom lite up like the 4th of July with a bright white flash and the smell of an electrical fire. I jumped out of bed and ran into the other bedroom where my grandson 12 yrs old was sleeping. He’s laying there sound asleep with 3 foot high flames coming from his box spring and mattress. After pulling him out of the bed I beat the flames down the best I could and threw them out into the rain. He’s fine no burns at all. Every outlet, breaker box, washer, dryer, refrigerator, well pump, expansion tank, various electronic devices destroyed. The lightning took out 2 trees and cut the electric power pole in half causing the transformer to fall to the ground. The electric company said we were hit with 70,000 volts yes we have ground fault breakers and surge protectors but they were all toasted. In the garage the gfi outlet help but took out one of my 4 lithium batteries in the boat. I notified Ionics and was told they’ll send me a warranty claim number and a ups postage sticker to mail it in and that they would either fix it or send me a new one. Kudos to them as I said it wasn’t their fault it was struck by lightning and they said it doesn’t matter it’s still under warranty. Then to add insult to injury the delivery crew after installing the washer and dryer never hooked up the drain hose and flooded 4 rooms downstairs. Arrrrg. Hopefully my luck will change. But at least no one was hurt. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Dang tough luck buddy, but after all that and nobody was hurt or worse is the real silver lining.   

 

I've had a few encounters with lightning that were about as close as you can come without riding the tiger.    I've finally seen the light, I don't play around anymore with it. 

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm glad your familys all safe. That had to be scary as he!!.

[TnRiver46]

Wow, hope your luck improves. I can’t imagine! Great job keeping your family safe. Unfortunately I think a direct hit will fry anything, surge protectors etc. 

[JackstrawIII]

Geez, sorry man.

 

It's amazing how tough life can be, but it's also amazing how resilient people are. Hang in there. 

[Tennessee Boy]

That's very scary stuff.  Glad no one was hurt.

[Bird]

?

That's insane but surprisingly you seem to be taking it in stride......but what can you do really ?.

Glad to hear everyone is fine and insurance will restore everything.

 

[slonezp]

Holy crap!

[Woody B]

I'm glad everyone is OK.  Kudos on your quick action with your son, and the burning bedding.   

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

What caused your grandson’s bed to catch fire? Was there an outlet close by ? 

[GaryH]

Yes. That’s exactly what happen. 

[12poundbass]

Holy cow! It’s pretty incredible how powerful Mother Nature can be. 

[Bankbeater]

Wow! Glad everyone is OK. 

[GRiver]

Glad everyone is ok, something similar happened to a friend of mine.
He took a direct hit to his meter can on the side of his house. It blew all his wiring in the house, it blew out drywall all through the house.  Every junction in the house blew out the walls in chunks.  They stripped the place down to the studs and started over. 

[Sam]

Glad you and the family are OK.

 

Fantastic story. Surprised you have not been on a morning TV show to share it with everyone.

 

Many people do not take lightning seriously, and that includes bass fishermen who will stay on the lake as a lightning storm approaches or passes over their heads.

 

Being from south Louisiana, my uncle taught us cousins that when you see a storm in the distance, head for cover, lightening or no lightening. I still practice what he taught us even if the nonboater wants to stay and "catch one more."

[Mobasser]

Glad to hear you guys are ok. Quick thinking on your part.