Lightning question? Until today, I'd never heard of it happening....?

Question

The electrical charge from the bolt of lightning followed the tree roots, erupting the buried gas line on fire in a neighborhood front yard.

Have you ever heard of such a thing/ or similar?

Answer 1

It wasn't the trees that conducted the electricity but the water that was running down the the root system of the tree as the rain seeped into the earth.

Answer 2

I dont know science but I have been told that lightning comes from the ground and goes up.

Answer 3

The power of lightning, isn't it just awesome.

Answer 4

I doubt it. Trees don't conduct. However, if there was a lightning rod on the tree, then it could have easily diverted the lightning to the gas pipe and lit a fire.

Nik Nak: That is true, but it doesn't reach underground. Strangely enough it behaves exactly has it would if it was going from the cloud to the ground; except in a few minor ways.

And could someone explain to me how I am incorrect? Because I'm really not.