"croy" wrote in message
...
On the top of Mt. Whitney, California, there is a stone
building, about 12 ft. x 25 ft., festooned with no less than
9 lightning rods. All the rods appear to be connected
together, and there are over 9 wires from the system to
earth. The building has a thick wood floor.

I've read that two people have been killed, and something
like 15 injured (some seriously) by lightning while taking
shelter in this building during a lightning storm.
Presently, there are warning signs, warning against taking
shelter in the building during a storm.

How can such a seemingly well-protected building be such a
death-trap?

The key word is 'seemingly'.

The physics of installation/maintance of lightning protection is complex. A
simple thing as right angle bends while they may look professional can
render lightning protection worthless.