Canvey home struck by lightning and left uninhabitable

Concerned neighbours in Waarem Avenue acted quickly to call 999 after hearing the loud bang of the lightning striking the roof at 8.39am.

Three fire crews - from Rayleigh Weir, Ingatestone and Basildon - were called to the home and reported that a roof was on fire after being struck by lightning. 

Firefighters worked to prevent the blaze spreading throughout the rest of the property, however, the roof was destroyed by the fire and has left the home uninhabitable.

The destroyed roof (Image: Essex Fire and Rescue Service)

Watch manager Adrian Clarke, from Ingatestone Fire Station, said: “We’d like to praise the neighbours who acted quickly to call us.

“While fires like this cannot be prevented, we’d like to stress the importance of acting quickly when there is a fire. If the fire is in your home, please get out of the house as quickly and safely as you can, stay out and dial 999. 

“If you see a fire, dial 999 immediately. Don’t assume someone else has already called, we’d rather be called multiple times to the same fire than not at all.”

This comes just two days after a bungalow in Corringham was struck by lightning in the early hours of the morning, waking neighbours and the elderly couple inside. With help from the neighbours and police officers, the couple and their six dogs and cat got out of the property safely.

Further afield, the roof of a classic Holland-on-Sea pub in north Essex also reportedly “went up in flames” after being struck by lightning this morning