The foliage immediately burst into flames after being suddenly hit by a strong electrical charge
This is the dramatic moment a tree bursts into flames after it is hit by a bolt of lightning .
The foliage set on fire after a particularly vicious lightning strike in Springdale, Arkansas in the US on June 12.
In the clip, the tree appears to be on fire from the inside out, with a huge crack running down the entire length of the trunk.
Incidents like these occur when 'cloud-to-ground' lightning bolts strike tall objects, like trees or buildings.
According to the National Weather Service : "Most lightning flashes consist of one or more leaders/return strokes.
"Some flashes contain a continuous flow of electricity, called continuing current. Rather than the charge flowing intermittently in one or more quick surges (return strokes), in continuing current, the charge flows continuously over a longer period of time.
"This longer period of charge flow causes the struck object to heat up and possibly ignite."
The 12-second footage has now been shared on YouTube and has been viewed more than 6,100 times since June 13.
(Source: Mirror)
