[TigersEye]

Has ball lightning ever been known to cause damage or injuries?

[calljack]

My brother in law has been hit by lightning twice in his life. Once in his backyard by regular lightning and once in his upstairs hallway by ball lightning that essentially chased him down. He said in came from the bathroom window and got him as he was running away from it.

[MrNeutron1962]

In 1974 my friends sister watched ball lightning roll off of their electric stove and setting the kitchen on fire. Both her and her mother saw it happen. She I was 12 at the time, and she described it as looking like a fireworks pinwheel rolling across the floor, until it exploded.

[Blackirish]

I was sleeping on my couch one night in Chicago and was awakened by a wicked flash of lightning. Next thing I know a six inch ball lightning descends slowly from the ceiling light fixture. It spazed out and ruined my computer. The place smelled strongly...ozone. Really a once in a lifetime experience.

[PA Engineer]

Has ball lightning ever been known to cause damage or injuries?

Yep. When I lived in Kansas City North the neighbors had a strike down the chimney. The fire did a significant amount of damage. They claimed they saw it come down the chimney when they pulled into the driveway.