In 1895, lightning ignited a West Virginia gas well; flames soared 200 feet as crowds watched

In a remarkable display, a West Virginia gas well suffered a fiery explosion triggered by a lightning strike. Discovered in 1895, this vast gas reservoir was tough to control with the limited technology of the era. For two hours, flames leaped 150 to 200 feet into the sky until the force of the escaping gas extinguished itself.