Some Dunedin residents woke to a ''massive boom'' as lightning struck a power transformer in Tainui yesterday.
Firefighters were called after lightning struck the transformer about 5am, a Fire Service spokesman said.
Elizabeth Beker, of Tainui Rd, said the boom woke her.
''My husband is in the army and it sounded like some of their artillery.''
Their house was without power for almost two hours.
Tainui Store and Takeaway manager Joe Zhou said the shop had no power for several hours after the strike.
The outage meant the shop had no eftpos and he could not serve cooked or frozen food: ''No takeaways, no ice-cream, no everything.''
Lainie King (17), of Cranley St, said she was woken by the strike.
''I thought I was getting murdered.''
Her father James King said it sounded like a war zone.
''At the Anzac service, I was standing beside the gun and it was like that. It was a real big crack bang,'' Mr King said.
Leeya Buck, of Ravelston St, said she was woken by the explosion.
