Five injured after family home struck by lightning
Five people have been injured after a family home was struck by lightning before bursting into flames during a thunderstorm.
Fire crews were called to battle the blaze which broke out in the Sheldon area of Birmingham at around 11am today (Mon).
Dramatic photos show how almost the entire roof was decimated by the inferno which tore through the semi-detached property in Greenvale Avenue.
Three women and two men were treated by medics at the scene - including one female casualty who was taken to the city's Heartlands Hospital.
Luckily, the occupants of the property were out at the time but said they were 'gutted' by the damage which also destroyed sentimental items in the loft.
The homeowner, who did not wish to be named, said: "We weren't there when it happened so we're obviously pretty lucky but we're absolutely gutted
"All the kids stuff is there. It's mainly sentimental stuff that has been ruined and we now have to wait for the council to help s move.
"Thank God nobody was in the house at the time. I got a call from my dad to ask if we were inside and I was in Poundland at the time. He said 'your house in on fire'.
"I have been told I can't go in the property yet because there's structural damage and the bedroom ceiling has collapsed."
Neighbours reported hearing a loud 'bomb-like' explosion which set off car alarms as storms swept across the city this morning.
One local added: "We're right by Birmingham Airport so I thought a plane had crashed.
"It was like a bomb had gone off, car alarms were blaring everywhere, I've never heard anything like it.
"The fire service were here quick and I think have managed to stop it spreading to the main part of the house. The roof has been destroyed though.
"I think those treated were from a neighbouring property as the owners of the house struck weren't in, I believe."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "At around 10.50am, we were called to reports of a suspected lightning strike at Greenvale Avenue and Mapledene Road in Sheldon.
"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the scene.
"There were five patients requiring assessment: three women and two men.
"One woman was treated for injuries not believed to be serious and conveyed to Heartlands Hospital.
"The other patients were treated for minor injuries and given self-care advice before being discharged at the scene."
Severe weather warnings for thunderstorms have been issued for large parts of the UK after temperatures soared this weekend.
Yellow warnings are in place for northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning the storms may cause disruption and damage to buildings.
West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service have also been contacted for comment.
Fire crews were called to battle the blaze which broke out in the Sheldon area of Birmingham at around 11am today (Mon).
Dramatic photos show how almost the entire roof was decimated by the inferno which tore through the semi-detached property in Greenvale Avenue.
Three women and two men were treated by medics at the scene - including one female casualty who was taken to the city's Heartlands Hospital.
Luckily, the occupants of the property were out at the time but said they were 'gutted' by the damage which also destroyed sentimental items in the loft.
The homeowner, who did not wish to be named, said: "We weren't there when it happened so we're obviously pretty lucky but we're absolutely gutted
"All the kids stuff is there. It's mainly sentimental stuff that has been ruined and we now have to wait for the council to help s move.
"Thank God nobody was in the house at the time. I got a call from my dad to ask if we were inside and I was in Poundland at the time. He said 'your house in on fire'.
"I have been told I can't go in the property yet because there's structural damage and the bedroom ceiling has collapsed."
Neighbours reported hearing a loud 'bomb-like' explosion which set off car alarms as storms swept across the city this morning.
One local added: "We're right by Birmingham Airport so I thought a plane had crashed.
"It was like a bomb had gone off, car alarms were blaring everywhere, I've never heard anything like it.
"The fire service were here quick and I think have managed to stop it spreading to the main part of the house. The roof has been destroyed though.
"I think those treated were from a neighbouring property as the owners of the house struck weren't in, I believe."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "At around 10.50am, we were called to reports of a suspected lightning strike at Greenvale Avenue and Mapledene Road in Sheldon.
"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the scene.
"There were five patients requiring assessment: three women and two men.
"One woman was treated for injuries not believed to be serious and conveyed to Heartlands Hospital.
"The other patients were treated for minor injuries and given self-care advice before being discharged at the scene."
Severe weather warnings for thunderstorms have been issued for large parts of the UK after temperatures soared this weekend.
Yellow warnings are in place for northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning the storms may cause disruption and damage to buildings.
West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service have also been contacted for comment.
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