Ball Lightning: Paris, 1852

Probably the most renowned case of Ball Lightning occurred on July 5^th, 1852 in Paris. According to the tale, a ball of fire about the size of "a human head" came from the fireplace of a fourth-story apartment. The ball knocked the frame aside and darted across the room, seemingly toward the man, who described its actions as being "like a cat." It then moved to the center of the room before ascending slowly up the chimney. It exploded just before reaching the open air, nearly destroying the chimney. While the phenomenon was bright, it produced no heat.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011