Homes evacuated after lightning causes roof fire

Several homes in a Melton street had to be evacuated this morning after lightning hit the roof of a property and caused it to catch fire.

Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service were called to Bayswater Road just before 5am this morning to reports of a hosue being struck by lightning.

Crews from Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service alongside some from Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire attended the incident.

Multiple fire crews attended the incident in the early hours of Thursday morning. Photo: NEMM

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service said: "We were called to a domestic fire on Bayswater Road in Melton this morning at 04:57 following reports of a house being struck by lightning."

"Our crews from Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Billesdon and Central Fire Station all attended, with support from Northamptonshire Fire Service colleagues, and tackled the blaze during the ongoing thunderstorm."

The road remains closed. Photo: NEMM

The roof of the property was on fire, and several neighbouring houses were evacuated as a precaution. There were no casualties. 

The spokesperson added: "The fire has been extinguished but this remains an ongoing incident, with crews in attendance and a building inspector at the property, along with partners from National Grid."

Bayswater Road in Melton remains closed.