Authorities in Cape Coral, Florida report that there is a brand new species of pine tree growing locally. They found this out during a thunder storm. The tree was struck by lightning and exploded. Literally exploded. Debris was thrown over a two block radius, damaging 17 homes. Sections of the tree were found up to 500 feet away.
"In 18 years with the fire department, I've never seen anything like that," Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Mikell told AFP.
He said the 12-meter (40-foot) pine tree was hit by lightning during a thunderstorm on Monday and exploded "almost like a bomb."
The tree had already been struck by lightning last year, apparently during a hurricane, causing decay that may have produced pockets of gases, said Mikell.
One person was lightly injured and treated on the spot, and 17 houses were damaged, "two to the point of being uninhabitable," said Mikell.
"Sections of the tree were found as far as 500 feet (150 meters) away. … There was damage within two blocks of the location," he said.
In honor of Wile E. Coyote creator Chuck Jones, I submit that the new species should be named pinus kaboomus.
