A bungalow in the Leicestershire village of Witherley was struck by lightning in the early hours of Wednesday, causing its roof to catch fire. Fire crews from Warwickshire and Leicestershire responded to the incident on Orchard Close at 3:45 AM.
According to a spokesman for Nuneaton Fire Station, all occupants managed to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived. Crews initially entered the building wearing breathing apparatus and used a ladder to access the roof space, but were forced to withdraw due to the intensity of the flames bursting through the roof.
Firefighters then redirected efforts to protect a neighbouring property, successfully preventing the fire from spreading. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service crews remained on scene to monitor the area and damp down remaining hotspots.
The spokesman highlighted the importance of escape planning, urging residents to keep hallways clear, know where keys are, and ensure everyone in the home knows the fastest way out. The incident occurred during a period of thunderstorms following unusually high May temperatures across the UK.
