A 1.20 m deep underground gas pipeline (external diameter = 457.2 mm; MS pressure = 67.7 bar; steel X60; thickness = 5.2 mm) with polyethylene lining was punctured by lightning and ignited in the open field, at 200 m from residential dwellings. Flames 10 m high could be observed, cornfields burned over a 30-m radius. The impact occurred at the level of a 1.50 m wooden post planted into the soil (depth: 0.5 m) and used as a landmark for the structure; it created 2 craters 110 mm apart. On one of them, the pipe lining disappeared altogether and the pipe wall was perforated, while on the other, the lining was locally absent and 2 perforations could be observed. The accident was noticed by a train conductor (in witnessing a brushfire), who promptly sounded the alert. After 70 min, the gas leak was detected and the site operator notified. The next step consisted of depressurising the pipe segment and flaring the gas, following modification of the zone’s supply configuration. The fire was extinguished 7 hours following detection. The damaged zone was replaced (through installation of a jointing band). The supply network was re-established 7 hours later. The human toll of the accident reported two wounded.