Akiko turned round to look back at the house, wondering whether she could do anything else.

The light blinded her, the sound deafened, and the blast almost knocked her off her feet. As her vision cleared, she could see the damage to the Sugiyamas’ house, the flames licking round the gash in the roof, starting to spread. For a moment she stood, staring in shock, but then she pulled out her cell phone and dialled 119.

“Hello? There’s a fire at…â€ She gave the address and answered the questions, and could hear the sirens almost as soon as she hung the phone up. A crowd was already gathering, but there was no sign of anyone leaving the house. Akiko suddenly remembered something that Mr Sugiyama had said.

“He said his wife and child had the fever!â€ she cried out, and ran up the path. Moments later, a man followed her. Akiko reached for the bell, but the man pulled on the door, which was open, and dashed into the house, calling “Masahiro!â€ as he went, not even stopping to pull his shoes off. Akiko retreated out of the way, and as the fire engine arrived the Sugiyamas emerged from the house, ahead of the smoke now pouring from the door, and the hole in the roof left by the lightning. The firemen went in as the family came out, the paramedics sitting them down and giving them a quick check up.

Akiko joined the crowd, watching as the firemen put the fire out, and breathed a sigh of relief. There was damage, but it didn’t seem as though anyone had been killed. She was starting to think about going back home when she realised that Mr Sugiyama was storming towards her, his face furious.

“You! You started this fire! You tried to kill my family!â€ Akiko looked around wildly, feeling the mood of the crowd turn hostile.

“Masahiro, it was a lightning strike. I saw it.â€ The man who had gone into the house had caught up with Mr Sugiyama, and laid a hand on his shoulder, which Sugiyama angrily shook off.

“She said it was going to happen. She tried to burn my house down and kill my family.â€

“Masahiro!â€ The crowd’s mood was less hostile now, Akiko thought, but she was still very uncomfortable. With relief, she saw one of the firemen coming up.

“Mr Sugiyama? What’s this about?â€

“This woman started the fire! Arrest her!â€

“Masahiro…â€

“Sir, the fire was started by a lightning strike. One of the clearest cases I’ve ever seen.â€

“And it was her fault!â€

“Sir, if she can make lightning strike you, it would be sensible to be polite to her. And if she can’t, she cannot have started this fire. Please go and sit with your family again; I know you’re upset, but you shouldn’t take it out on her.â€

“So how did she know?â€

“Please go and sit down, sir.â€ Mr Sugiyama, somewhat grudgingly, did so, and the fireman apologised to her, on his behalf. Akiko just nodded. It had really come home to her now.

Mr Takenaka had struck someone with lightning.