LIGHTNING SPLITS TREE IN TWO
Bolt bifurcates Brennanstown Riding School tree in freak storm
A LARGE TREE was torn in half by lightning last Monday afternoon at Brennanstown Riding School in Bray during a freak storm. The tree was located in a garden paddock to the rear of the school, and close to the residence of Jane Bloomer of Brennanstown Riding School.
One of her sons, who is home from England, heard what he described as an explosion during the electrical storm in or around lunchtime on Monday.
The Bloomers said that they are not sure what type of tree it was, but it was imposing.
The lands were formerly part of Lord Meath’s estate which includes some significant types of tree.
A large tree was torn in half by lightning last Monday afternoon at Brennanstown Riding School in Bray during a freak storm.
The tree was located in a garden paddock to the rear of the school, and close to the residence of Jane Bloomer of Brennanstown Riding School.
One of her sons who is home from England heard what he describe as an explosion during the electrical storm in or around lunchtime on Monday.
The Bloomers said that they are not sure what type of tree it was, however it was imposing.
The lands were formerly part of Lord Meath’s estate which includes some significant types of tree.
While there were no classes under way at Brennanstown on Monday, there were some horses nearby as they sometimes graze in the paddock.
However, none of them were hurt.
While there were some scorch marks on what remains of the tree, there was not an ongoing fire following the lightning strike.
Jane’s son said that when he looked at it, it appeared that flames were coming from the tree, however they now think that what he saw was wood shooting out.
Meanwhile, Victoria Road in Greystones was closed at around the same time and during the same storm, which included sudden and very heavy downpours of rain.
The fire brigade was called to the scene of a flood approaching the harbour and marina area.
The section between the Beach House and the railway bridge was closed due to flood damage.
Gardaí attended the scene and traffic control measures were put in to place.
The roads were treacherous in the area during the incident. Members of Greystones Fire Brigade assisted the clear up.
The road surface was damaged by water and temporary repairs were conducted on Monday, with the district engineer to examine the area for further repairs.
During the flooding, a foul smell in the area caused by rising sewage force local closures for approximately one hour.
The authorities opened one lane and introduced a ‘stop-go’ system on the road for the remainder of the afternoon and evening as repairs continued.