Yahoo Finance Lightning strike sets houses on fire as storms batter Britain
A 70-year-old woman has escaped unharmed after a lightning strike severely damaged two houses.
Fire crews were called to the address in Mercia Avenue, Andover Hampshire on Saturday morning.
The incident came as storms hit the south of England bringing the recent heatwave to an end.
The woman was assessed by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment, according to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
A spokesman said: “Crews from WhitchurchAmesbury Ludgershall, Winchester, Overton, Basingstoke and Rushmoor were called to Andover early this morning following a house struck by lightning.
“Two semi-detached houses were severely damaged in the incident.
It’s been a busy night for Amesbury.
1st Call - Car Fire A303
2nd Call - Residential Alarms Tidworth
3rd Call - House Fire Andover pic.twitter.com/PQVk7FAH84— Amesbury Fire Station (@Amesburyfirestn) July 24, 2021
“A 70-year-old female was assessed by ambulance crews on the scene but was not taken to the hospital.
“One aerial ladder platform and two 45mm jets were used at the incident.”
The spokesman added that fire crews were damping down the property following the strike.
Neighbour Barrie Austen, 79, told the PA news agency: “There was this enormous bang, it was obviously the lightning, I think it woke the rest of the street up.
“I saw the flickering and when I looked out I saw the roof of the semi-detached house completely ablaze and it had completely gone.
“The side that supports the roof, that collapsed as well and then the flames spread into next door.”
He said that two sisters live at the property and one was checked over by the ambulance crews.
He added: “She seemed shaken but seemed OK, no real physical problems. I think the lightning hit the roof, woke them up and they just got out.”
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