Wichelstowe homes damaged by lightning

Shortly before 2 am today, a block of flats on East Wichel Way was struck by lightning. A chimney was damaged and a hole blown in the roof. A fire also started. The family from the top flat were checked by ambulance crews at the scene. Families have been evacuated from the flats to a local hotel while the safety of the building is confirmed.

This is not the first lightning damage in East Wichel. A couple of years ago a nearby house on the opposite side of East Wichel Way also had its chimney damaged by lightning.