[Biggles]

I have seen burnt out poles which have (had) the local transformer mounted on them. Not quite sure what the exact mechanism is but the poles seem to burn well due to being impregnated with some kind of creosote or tar. When you think of a lightning strike as a very short transient, I expect any kind of inductance in the path will affect the most direct electrical route to earth. With regards to aerials and thunderstorms, I sometimes connect neon bulbs across them to see them light up. It's a sort of morbid fascination with the danger I suppose.
Alan.