Bungalow destroyed by lightning

The woman did not realise her bungalow was on fire

A bungalow has been destroyed after it was struck by lightning during storms in the West Midlands.

Neighbours woke the elderly woman who lived in the bungalow in Sutton Coldfield as she did not realise her home had been set alight by the strike.

Fire crews took more than two hours to put out the flames which destroyed the roof and most of the living area.

The 80-year-old woman who lived at the bungalow in Bedford Road was unhurt and is staying with relatives nearby.

Neighbour Gary Britland told Radio WM: "My wife saw some smoke in the back garden and we had a look and then I called the fire service."

He said he went to the front and was asked by a passer-by if anyone was in the house.

"I said yeah, that would be Margaret Holder, the occupier. So I banged on the window and she came out and I said Margaret your house is on fire."