Building collapses after lightning strike

Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, Nov 4 (UNI) Employees of a private hotel and some members of the public had a miraculous escape when a two-storey dilapidated building collapsed minutes after it was struck by lightning here last night.

Police said Perambalur experienced heavy thunder and lightning since last evening. The building was struck by lightning after which there was a terrible clap of thunder. In the next few seconds the middle portion of the building caved in and subsequently the whole building crumbled like a pack of cards.

On hearing the loud noise, the hotel employees and outsiders who were having dinner rushed out of the building.

District Collector Anil Meshram and other revenue officials visited the spot and held inquiries.

However, police said the real situation regarding any casualties if any would be known only after all the debris was cleared by the rescue operators. About 50 per cent of the debris was cleared by this morning, they added.

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