Overview
- Fire crews from Nuneaton, Polesworth and Leicestershire attended a bungalow on Orchard Close in Witherley after a direct lightning strike in the early hours of Thursday and found the roof alight.
- Firefighters entered wearing breathing apparatus and used a ladder and hose reel jet but withdrew when flames burst through the roof to reduce risk to crews.
- Teams redirected efforts to protect the neighbouring bungalow and successfully stopped the fire from spreading to adjacent properties.
- All occupants had evacuated safely and no injuries were reported, and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue crews remained on scene to damp down hotspots and monitor the area.
- Warwickshire Fire Service praised the rapid response and issued practical home fire-escape advice while local coverage linked the blaze to the region's storm following days of hot weather.