‘I just heard an unmerciful bang’ as chimney blown off house roof during lightning strike
A CHIMNEY was blown off a house as a result of a direct lightning strike this week, with residents detailing their experience of the hour-long thunderstorm.
A house was left with upwards of €3k worth of damage after the chimney was struck by lightning on Monday night.
It is understood that no one was hurt in the incident which occurred in Birchwood, Tallaght.
The top part of the chimney, where the cowl was, and the surrounding roof was damaged with the gable end of the house showing cracking around the chimney breast.
Residents rallied around the homeowner on Monday to secure the property from water damage and the rest of the chimney was taken down thereafter.
While other residents who spoke to The Echo did not experience any physical damage to their homes, some reported interruption to their television and internet, and others said that sparks came out of their sockets.
“I just heard an unmerciful bang, and the signal went on the television,” an elderly resident in Birchwood told The Echo.
“The whole kitchen lit up, to be honest for a split second I didn’t know where I was.
“The girl next door’s Virgin Media box blew off the wall, and mine went as well but it’s coming back on now. It was very frightening and I have to say, I’m just glad to be alive.”
However, following the ordeal, this resident was overcome with joy when a couple of kids who typically play on her road checked in on her.
“People are giving out about kids all over Tallaght, but they need recognition as well, after the lightning, the kids knocked at my door and asked if we were alright,” she said.
“They’re just so mannerly, their parents should be so proud of them.
“There is lovely kids in Tallaght.”
Another resident was not phased by the lightning storm, but did admit it could have been worse for the property which was damaged by the lightning.
“There was a big bang and a flash, my television in the backroom here went out but that’s about it,” he said.
“I saw the house across the way, it was only a chimney really, could have been a lot worse.”
Meanwhile, Luas services were disrupted between Belgard and Saggart as a result of a lightning strike.
Maintenance teams worked through the night on Monday and into Tuesday, with replacement bus services in operation.
On Tuesday evening, Luas announced that full services had been restored.
“Service has been restored between Red Cow and Saggart,” the official Luas account stated on Twitter.
“We thank you for your patience throughout this disruption.”
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