Lightning Strike in my neighborhood

[capeweather]

I'm going to be lazy and just link you to my other forum so you can read the story and look at the pics I took today. The strike took place about 1/4 mile away from my home and fire and rescue had to be called out. Sounded like a bomb went off in my neighborhood.  

http://www.capeweather.com/ftopicp-2846.html

[Mark / Ohio]

Looks about the same condition as a brick chimney I seen at a customer's home a few years ago that took a direct hit.  

I heard once sap turning to steam was what caused the tree bark to explode.  But you see something like that and you have to ask what other physical phenomina is occurring.  There would be very little internal moisture in bricks or a structure like that.  Really only the moisture from the rain on the outside.  Something must also be happening on a molecular level.  Like seeing sand changed into glass from a lightning strike or a downed power line.  Never fails to amaze that is for sure.

[Anole]

Looks about the same condition as a brick chimney I seen at a customer's home a few years ago that took a direct hit.  

I heard once sap turning to steam was what caused the tree bark to explode.

That happened last year (August 15th or there abouts) not too far from the location Chris is posting about today except it wasn't the bark but the whole tree that exploded. Sprayed debris over a 1/4 mile, damaged 14 houses including two that ended up condemned as a result. Never heard what happened to them after that.

[capeweather]

Looks about the same condition as a brick chimney I seen at a customer's home a few years ago that took a direct hit.  

I heard once sap turning to steam was what caused the tree bark to explode.

That happened last year (August 15th or there abouts) not too far from the location Chris is posting about today except it wasn't the bark but the whole tree that exploded. Sprayed debris over a 1/4 mile, damaged 14 houses including two that ended up condemned as a result. Never heard what happened to them after that.

Damn Larry, What a memory you have!    Right on the button! I didn't realize it was that late in the year. Here was the discussion that took place. Nothing special but still a little convo.

http://www.capeweather.com/ftopict-251.html

Edit:
Larry, forgot to ask...did you happen to see that funnel cloud out your way? It was around 12:30PM. I saw it from the Home Depot on Veterans and Skyline Blvd. Don't know how far out west it was but it appeared that it was either on the ground or in the water.

[talbert1952]

The air literally exploads when a lightning bolt passes through it. The explosion creates a powerful shock wave around the bolt which can do severe damage. We hear it as thunder.

Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun so turning sand to glass isn't a problem.

[Anole]

Larry, forgot to ask...did you happen to see that funnel cloud out your way? It was around 12:30PM. I saw it from the Home Depot on Veterans and Skyline Blvd. Don't know how far out west it was but it appeared that it was either on the ground or in the water.

I didn't but my wife did. She was talking about it last night and I don't think she realizes that it actually was a funnel cloud.