House struck by lightning in Roydon as storms hit Norfolk

Police were called to assist the fire service at 2.36pm in Linden Grove in Roydon as thunderstorms hit parts of Norfolk.

Seven fire crews from Diss, Harleston, Thetford, Attleborough, Needham Market and Bungay along with the aerial ladder platform from North Earlham and the water carrier from Hethersett were at the scene. 

Emergency services were at the scene of a house that had burst into flames after being hit by lightning (Image: Bruno Brown)

An eyewitness has described the shocking moment the lightning bolt struck the home next door.

Matt Licence, who lives directly next door to the home struck by the lightning bolt, said: “I have never heard anything like it, it was unbelievable.

An eyewitness who lives next door, Matt Licence, has described the shocking moment the lightning bolt struck the home (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"Just a vast flash of light with a loud bang. I was convinced it had hit the car.

"Suddenly there was a power cut immediately and I could smell smoke and see the smoke in our back garden and I was convinced it was our house which was on fire.

“I made the call to the fire brigade and they were here within three minutes.

“I have never heard anything like it and it really is frightening.

One of the fireman said it was the first lightning strike he has seen in 24 years (Image: Bruno Brown)

“The rain which followed the lightning strike was absolutely biblical and now it is as though nothing happened.

“I’m just grateful it wasn’t in the middle of the night as it was a terrifying noise.”

READ MORE: Yellow weather warnings issued for three days in Norfolk

The road was closed to enable crews to tackle the blaze after the lightning struck.

UK Power Networks were battling to restore power at the homes.

UK Power Networks were battling to restore power at the homes (Image: Bruno Brown)

Other neighbours said they could not believe what they had seen.

One elderly resident who lives nearby was asleep when the noise of the lightning strike woke her up.

She said: “I was having an afternoon nap and I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard the bang."

Police were called to assist the fire service in Linden Grove in Roydon (Image: Matt Licence)

Gail Webster, who owns Gail’s Groom Room in Millway Avenue which backs on to Linden Grove, said she had "never been so scared".

"I thought the lightning had struck my salon," she said. "I made sure all the dogs were safe and then I went outside and saw loads of smoke.

"The people were in the house when it happened and they’ve now gone next door.”

One of the fireman said it was the first lightning strike he has seen in 24 years.

Seven fire crews along with the aerial ladder platform from North Earlham and the water carrier from Hethersett were at the scene (Image: Matt Licence)

The homeowner, who declined to speak on the record, expressed his thanks to the Norfolk fire service for swiftly attending the scene and putting out the flames.

The man was not home at the time and it was neighbours who called the fire service after hearing the bang.

A woman who rents the property was at home with her three year old son at the time the lightning bolt struck.

The pair have been evacuated and are staying with a relative while the property is repaired.