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Family tell of lightning drama
A NORTH Shore family were forced to flee their home after it was struck by lightning.
The bolt hit the Cornwall Avenue house in the early hours of Wednesday morning – setting the roof alight.
Ian Davidson, his son Jack, along with his wife, Jo and her son, Tom Stranwick, escaped the property in the middle of the ferocious storm that raged in Blackpool.
Neighbours said the noise of the lightning strike was so loud it sounded like "a bomb had gone off in the street".
Mr Davidson said: "Our bedroom is in the attic and we had been woken by the heavy rain and thunder.
>> Click here to view our video from the scene and see our lightning photo gallery.
"All of a sudden we heard the most almighty bang. We had no idea what it was, then Jo said she could smell burning.
"We got up to switch the light on but the power had blown. As Jo went down to the meter, I heard a crackling noise and as I looked out of the skylight I saw thick smoke and realised the roof was on fire."
Firefighters were called to the semi-detached property at 4am and had to use an aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze in the roof space.
Neighbours comforted the family as crews brought the fire under control.
John Metcalf, watch manager from St Annes' fire station said: "Lightning strikes are rare, we probably only get one a year.
"This fire was difficult to tackle because of where it was in the roof space.
"The roof has been badly damaged by fire, as has the upstairs bedroom.
"There is also water damage throughout the property."
Mr Davidson's stepson, Tom Stranwick, 19, was woken by the bang of the lightning bolt hitting the house. He said: "The bang from the lightning strike was the loudest noise I have ever heard.
"I have a fireplace in my room and a gigantic crack appeared on the chimney breast, then I heard the neighbour's fire alarm going off. I thought the bang had been in the garden at first but then I heard mum shouting to tell us to get out. I couldn't believe what was happening."
Neighbour Stephen Burrows was also woken by the noise. He said: "The crash was absolutely enormous. It sounded like a bomb had gone off in the street.
"I saw the family outside and then a short while later the fire crews arrived."
Another neighbour, Sandra Brookfield, added: "I heard the crash, it was incredibly loud and I could smell the burning as I live directly opposite."
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
