Tue, 04 Sep 2012 7:11p.m.
(Photo: Harrison de Groot)
(Photo: Brendon Somerville)
Hail is seen on the ground as students evacuate the University of Canterbury (Photo: Pip Wid)
Lightning over Parklands, Christchurch (Photo: Angela Wilson)
Two conservatories collapsed and a roof was partially lifted in an electrical storm in Christchurch tonight.
The storm struck the city about 6:30pm, putting on a spectacular lightning display before pelting the city with hailstones some residents said were the size of golf balls.
A Fire Service spokesman said they received 22 calls from many parts of the city in the hour after the storm struck.
"Two conservatories collapsed because of the hail, and we had to assist one family whose roof had begun to lift," he said.
The rain also set off numerous alarms in the city.
The storm, which struck on the second anniversary of the first Canterbury earthquake, had eased by 8pm.
Watch the video for user-submitted footage of the storm.
NZN