Lightning Strikes Close To Home

Driving down Burbank Boulevard this morning just as a new thunderstorm broke loose, I saw a great flash in the sky about a quarter of a mile ahead. When I got closer I noticed that three palm trees were engulfed in flames after being struck by the lightning bolt I had just seen.

Since I have yet to figure out how to rearrange the photo uploads the pictures are out of order but you'll get the gist. The trees are in the middle and because I had just used up all my color film you are not able to see the flames shooting towards the sky.

The bottom photo shows (just barely) two firemen standing on the roof next to the burning trees and are preparing to hose them down. I wasn't quite sure why the fireman standing next to me said that I should probably move but I quickly found out. In the photo directly below you can see the powerful stream of water cascading through the air towards the flames. Guess where I am taking this photo from? You guessed it--directly in the line of fire so to speak. I don't know which I got the worst soaking from, the fire hose or the rain.

Was I glad I stopped to watch them in action? You betcha!