A woman has captured the dramatic moment a lightning bolt struck her neighbour's home in Glanaman, Carmarthenshire, Wales, causing a devastating fire that forced the family to flee. Maggie Day, 25, was filming the intense thunderstorm on May 27 when she inadvertently recorded the powerful strike hitting the roof of a semi-detached house across the road.
Footage Shows Inferno
Footage taken later that evening shows the home engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the neighbouring property. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 11.23pm and brought the blaze under control within approximately three hours. However, the damage was severe, with the roof completely caved in.
Witness Account
Ms Day, from Ammanford, Wales, said: 'The thunder and lightning was nothing I've seen before, so I decided to record to capture the events, but caught the strike to my neighbour's house.' She added: 'There were people in the house at the time but I saw them get out quickly. The fire brigade arrived within minutes and were able to put out the fire quickly.'
Fire Service Response
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported: 'At 11.23pm on Wednesday, May 27, crews from Ammanford, Amman Valley, Llandeilo and Morriston Fire Stations were mobilised to an incident in Glanaman.' The statement continued: 'The crews responded to a fire at a two-storey, semi-detached domestic property. The property had been struck by lightning which ignited a fire on the property’s roof.'
Firefighters used six breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, three thermal imaging cameras, ladders, and ceiling hooks to extinguish the fire. An aerial turntable ladder from Morriston Fire Station also supported operations. Significant fire damage was caused to the property, and the fire spread to a neighbouring home. All persons were accounted for, and no injuries were reported. The incident required a multi-agency response involving Dyfed-Powys Police, the Ambulance Service, and National Grid. Crews left the scene at 2.45am on Thursday, May 28.
