A house in Bristol was severely damaged by fire after being struck by lightning during intense thunderstorms that swept across parts of southern England overnight on Monday, June 22, 2026. The roof and first floor of the property on Wadham Grove in Emersons Green were engulfed in flames, with a neighbour describing the explosion as "quite something."
Fire Crews Battle Blaze in Emersons Green
Avon Fire & Rescue Service received the call just before 6pm on Monday. Crews from Kingswood, Temple, Southmead, Patchway, and Portishead were dispatched to tackle the blaze. A fire service spokesperson said that upon arrival, firefighters found the house well alight. Social media videos showed flames covering most of the roof and thick black smoke rising into the sky.
A neighbour who posted online said: "We are on the next road and the explosion was quite something. We knew something had been hit as soon as it happened and then saw the smoke. I'm so glad no one was injured."
Widespread Thunderstorms and Flooding
The storm brought torrential rain and flooding to parts of southern England. London Fire Brigade reported responding to around 400 calls overnight, including two house fires believed to have been caused by lightning strikes. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne stated: "It has been a very busy night for our control officers, firefighters and officers."
Just after 4am on Tuesday, the Brigade activated its high-volume call procedure due to the surge in calls. This prioritises flooding incidents where there is a risk to life, with other calls treated as non-emergencies. Operation Willow Beck was temporarily stood up, diverting some emergency calls to unaffected fire and rescue service control rooms during the extreme demand.
Extreme Heat Warning Issued
The storms occurred as the UK faced an impending heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 38C to 40C in parts of England and Wales, potentially surpassing the 35.6C record set in 1976. A rare red weather warning for extreme heat was issued by the Met Office, covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, in effect from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday. The Met Office said these warnings are reserved for the most severe events, with expected "severe and significant impacts" including widespread health risks for many, even danger to life. Schools across the country announced closures, and transport authorities advised against all but essential travel.
