Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 107, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1914 — Fire Marshal Reports 50 Unrodded Lightning Losses to One Rodded. [ARTICLE]

Fire Marshal Reports 50 Unrodded Lightning Losses to One Rodded.

For every 1<J8» on buildings protected by lightning rods in Indiana, there are fifty similar losses reported on buildings that are unrodded. *>' Sueh are the figures gathered by the Indiana state fire marshal during the first eight months of the existence of his office. They prove conclusively, the fire marshal feels, the value of the lightning rod as a means of preventing lightning loss. During the eight months included in the fire marshal’s report, there was a total of 1,006 fires from lightning in Indiana. Of this number 718 occurred on buildings that were’ unrodded. Fourteen were on rodded buildings. In 274' Instances it was impossible to learn definitely whether the building was protected by rods. “These figures,” says the Indiana fire marshal, “taken in conjunction with the increase in insurance rates which farmers are having to face generally, serve to show the importance of adequate protection to rural property from lightning. Many thousands of dollars could be saved in farm property each year, if the (farmer would equip his buildings with lightning rods.” The total loss in the state by lightning, as shown during the first eight months of the existence of the fire marshal department, is estimated at $864,851. Of this amount $536,963 was on building and $327,888 was on contents.

With the approach of summer, he fire marshal is particularly anxous to impress upon farmers the to life and property from 1 Igfrtning. As shown iby the department's statistics last year, a tonal of 77 fires from lightning occurred during the month of May alone, with 155 more reported for the month of June. The fire marshal is anxious to see this heavy loss lowered for the coming two months in 1914. Barns offer the greatest source of oss from lightning, according to be reports of the fire "marshal. Of ;he 1,006 fires which occurred from this source during the eight months covered by the report, a total of 510 were barn fires. More than 469 of ;he barns either totally or partially burned were on farm property. Other kinds of property endangered by lightning hazards, with the number of fires resulting Were: Dwellings—3os. Factories—2o. 'Hay—23. Store—6. School—27. Church—l 4. Gattie and miso.—lol. Of the total number of dwellings struck by lightning, more than 48 per cent were on Indiana farms. In order that farmers may be fully informed on the nature and cause of all lightning fires (the fire marshal has Just issued a leaflet containing the. lightning statistics gathered during the first eight months of the existence of hte office This leaflet will be sent free to anyone who desires it.