Home in Shirrell Heath has its roof destroyed after lightning strike causes fire

A house in Shirrell Heath, Hampshire has lost its roof after it caught fire during a huge lightning storm on Tuesday night (22nd of October).

According to bbc.co.uk, the home, which is located on Winters Road, has also suffered damage to its first floor due to the gaping hole left by the collapsed roof.

The fire began around 8:00pm and 46 firefighters were called to the scene to tackle the blaze. Despite the rain, it took six hours to put out the roof’s fire – with crews leaving the scene at around 2am.

Investigators are looking into what caused the fire but a spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said it could have been caused by a lightning strike.

Allan Burgess, who owns the property, said he lost a lot of sentimental items in the fire.

“Obviously the damage is very extensive,” he said. “I’m pretty upset. It’s going to take an awful lot to put it right. I just can’t believe a lightning strike could cause so much damage,” reports hampshirechronicle.co.uk.

Mr Burgess will have to have his entire roof replaced, as well as conduct repairs on the first floor of his house. The only thing left of the roof is a number of burnt tiles.