Psimondo

Glad I found this forum. I saw the most amazing thing today and have been searching the internet to see how it could have happened. I live in Johannesburg and we have massive downpours with lightning. I was in an open car park and lightning struck a field on the other side of the car park. Very close. The astounding thing was that after the flash disappeared there was fire running up where the bolt had been. Absolutely, definitely fire. Orange and yellow rolling fire. In a line. It lasted about half a second and it was pouring with rain at the time. I couldn't believe what I was seeing but it lasted long enough, with a completely clear and nearby view that I am sure what I saw. So my thought was that the lightning split the rain into hydrogen and oxygen (or some other flammable mixture) which then ignited. Any other theories?