Family flee lightning bolt blaze

Dorset Fire and Rescue said the blaze was "very intense"

A mother and four teenagers had a lucky escape when a bolt of lightning struck the roof of a Dorset house and started a blaze during stormy weather.

The woman, her three daughters and their friend fled after lightning hit the semi-detached property in Upton.

The fire destroyed the roof of the property on Monday and 35 firefighters were had to tackle the blaze.

One girl suffered a minor leg injury. "There's scorch marks down the side of the building," said the fire service.

It was a very lucky escape Tim Spring Dorset Fire and Rescue

Tim Spring, of Dorset Fire and Rescue, said: "The lightning appears to have gone in through the roof and then out of the side of the house.

"There's scorch marks down the side of the building.

"It appears to have blown a hole eight feet by six feet. It was very serious.

"There was structural damage from the initial strike.

"The fire was very intense."

Two of the girls were reportedly upstairs at the time but everyone had escaped the house by the time fire crews arrived on the scene.

The mother and the teenagers were treated by ambulance staff for shock.

Despite the roof partially collapsing, firefighters managed to save the neighbouring house, which was also struck by the lightning and set ablaze.

"It was a very lucky escape," added Mr Spring.