Residents safely escaped a home in Emersons Green, Bristol, after it was struck by lightning and caught fire during a thunderstorm. The incident occurred just before 6 pm on Monday, June 22, causing the roof and first floor of the house to be engulfed in flames. Witnesses described hearing an explosion followed by thick black smoke rising into the sky as the fire rapidly spread through the property.
Neighbours reported the intensity of the explosion, with one person stating, “We are in 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.” Videos shared on social media depicted the roof engulfed in flames and firefighters working to control the blaze with hoses.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service received reports of the fire around 5:55 pm and upon arrival, found the house fully ablaze. Fire crews from various stations were deployed to the scene to combat the fire. The property sustained significant damage, with the roof completely destroyed and the first floor also affected by the fire.
Prior to the incident, the fire service had issued warnings about the upcoming hot and humid weather, cautioning the public about potential dangers, including the risks associated with open water, barbecues, and bonfires during such conditions. The lightning strike that caused the fire was one of five similar incidents attended by the fire service across Bristol and Somerset during the thunderstorms on Monday.
The thunderstorms temporarily halted the heatwave that had been ongoing, with a yellow weather warning in place due to a brief band of low pressure moving across Southwest England on Monday night. The Met Office had forecasted thunderstorms bringing lightning, gusty winds, heavy rain, and possibly hail to the region.
However, the rain has since cleared, and there are expectations of temperatures potentially rising to 45°C by the end of the week, which could break the current highest UK temperature record for June of 35.6°C set in Southampton in June 1976.