PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (1010 WINS/AP) — A Florida woman says lightning destroyed her septic tank and caused a toilet in her house to explode.
Marylou Ward tells television station WINK News that the sole toilet in her Port Charlotte home was shattered into hundreds of pieces on Sunday.
Ward says the explosion was the loudest sound she's ever heard, and that she also smelled smoke. She says a plumber told her lightning hit the methane gas that was built up in the pipes from feces.
Ward says she'll have to get the toilet and septic system repaired, but she's thankful no one was injured.
A plumbing company, A-1 Affordable Plumbing Inc. posted photos of the aftermath on Facebook, writing, "Lightening (sic) struck this home owners septic tank, igniting the methane gas (natural gas from sewer) in the sewer pipes and causing an explosion."
The post continues, "The toilet exploded in home owners master bathroom sending porcelain airborne like a missile (the porcelain penetrated into wall). Most likely all sewer piping will need to be replaced and septic tank. luckily no one was hurt! Scheduling a camera inspection this week to see how much sanitary pipe needs to be replaced!! --"
