Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 215, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1913 — MANY BARNS BURN FROM LIGHTNING [ARTICLE]

MANY BARNS BURN FROM LIGHTNING

Statistics Based on Reports for 92 Days Show That 417 Barns Burned in Indiana. A further investigation into the losses caused in Indiana by flres resulting from lightning, developes the fact that from May 15 to Sept. 1, the loss has been more than $623,000, and that 81 per cent of this loss falls upon the owners of country property. The farmer’s barn is the mostcommo'n mark for lightning in Indiana. The farmer gets "hit” the hardest. An analysis of the reports made to the state fire marshal shows that 19' per cent of the reports of lightning fires comes from his in towns and cities. The balance of the reports—Bl per cent—came from township- trustees, whose territory comprises the country and farming districts outside of the cities and towns.

Interesting statistics concerning the character of the buildings struck by lightning have also been prepared by the fire marshal. The following figures are based on re-' ports from May 15 to Aug. 30, inclusive: Barns 417, dwellings 210, factories 20, school houses 18, churches 15, stores 10, straw stacks 3, hay stacks 3, storages 3, offices 2, telephone exchange 1, court house 1, wind-mill 1. Total of 704. Barns numerically more than one-half of the total number of buildings struck by lightning. Of the 417 barns-, struck, the loss was total in 290 instances; 127 werepartial losses, yhis gives 69 per cent total lo’ss and 31 per cent partial loss. In other words, when lightning strikes a barn, there is a total loss '69 times out of.every 100 times. There is small chance of saving a barn after a fire gets a good start. Especially is this true when the barn has been fired by lightning. 7~ .- - ■