Jim Beam explosion: Lightning strikes whiskey factory, making rivers flow with fire and alcohol

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

Lightning has struck a whiskey factory, sparking a firenado of flaming alcohol to be sucked up into the sky.

The Kentucky warehouse, which produces Jim Beam bourbon, was battered by lightning, heavy rain and strong winds simultaneously. AOL reports that the combination of all three meant that water laced with alcohol was whipped into a funnel- sparking the fire which tore through the factory.

It is believed that 800,000 gallons of alcohol spilled into a retention pond, causing the factory to be engulfed in a fire ball.

Fortunately, the building was situated close to a creek, meaning that the fire was eventually extinguished. Not one was injured in the blaze.

However, the creek became contaminated and a number of fish were killed. The Jim Beam company has paid state authorities nearly $27,000 in clean-up costs.

The brand is one of the most popular bourbon whiskeys in the world. It has annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion and has been trading since the eighteenth century.