Has lightning ever struck a tree near your house of a tree in your backyard & caused a fire?

Question

I live in Chicago and the thunderstorms we get here are sometimes dangerous and life threating, right now I just heard that sound letting you know that words will be going across the bottom of your TV screen telling and letting you know of storm watches and warning and other stuff,has lighting ever struck a tree near you or someone's house?

this question was posted 4-25-08

Answer 1

A few years ago, I was driving home from work one night. It was thundering, and lightning. As I was driving, a flash of lightning struck a tree about 1/4 of a mile ahead of me. As I got to the tree, I could see it had split, and was on fire. I kept going, and went on home. The next day as I left to go to work, I drove by the tree, and seen that it had burned for a little while before the rain had put it out. This was about 15 years ago, and to this day, you can see where it had burned, but the tree is still alive.

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

Many! but no fires, except for burning the tree itself, and several telephones, fridges and tv sets in the neigbourhood.

Answer 4

Yes it has, in our front yard.  It did not catch fire, but of course it died.  It was leaning toward a neighbor's house and the ordinance people told us to have it removed immediately, because it could fall at anytime and do damages to people and their property.