Ashton-under-Lyne Lightning Strike Sparks Fire in Home
A dramatic lightning strike that ignited a fire in the roof of a house in Ashton-under-Lyne has been caught on CCTV, prompting a swift emergency response and the evacuation of nearby homes.
The bolt of lightning struck the property on a quiet residential street at around 8:30pm on Thursday evening, during a fierce thunderstorm that swept through Greater Manchester. The force of the strike caused a blaze to break out in the loft of the semi-detached home, sending plumes of smoke into the night sky and startling residents across the area.
Footage of the moment the lightning hit was captured on a neighbour’s CCTV camera. In the video, a powerful flash lights up the street, followed by a loud crack of thunder. Moments later, sparks can be seen at the rooftop of the affected property. The footage, now circulating widely on social media, has been described as “terrifying” and “incredible” by viewers.
David Weekes, whose security camera recorded the strike, told reporters: “It was absolutely surreal. I was just sitting in the living room when I heard the loudest bang I’ve ever experienced. When I checked the CCTV footage, I couldn’t believe my eyes. You can see the lightning hit directly above the house. We’re just glad no one was seriously hurt.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that four fire engines were dispatched to the scene shortly after the call came in. Firefighters worked through torrential rain to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We were called at 8:32pm to reports of a lightning strike causing a fire at a residential property in Ashton-under-Lyne. Firefighters quickly gained access to the roof area and used hose reels and breathing apparatus to bring the blaze under control. Crews remained on scene for several hours to ensure the area was safe.”
As a precaution, residents from surrounding homes were evacuated while firefighters tackled the flames. No injuries were reported, though the struck home sustained significant damage to its roof and upper floor.
One local resident, Helen O’Connor, said the incident had left the community shaken. “The storm was bad enough, but when we saw fire engines and smoke coming from the house, we feared the worst. It’s lucky the fire didn’t spread. We were all outside watching, hoping everyone was okay.”
Emergency services are continuing to investigate the extent of the damage and assess the structural safety of the building. Electricity supplies were temporarily cut off in the immediate area but have since been restored.
Meteorologists had issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms earlier in the day, with forecasters warning of “frequent lightning strikes, heavy rain, and potential localised flooding.”
As the clean-up begins, neighbours have rallied around the affected family, offering support and temporary shelter. It’s a sobering reminder, residents say, of the unpredictable power of nature.
The family whose home was struck have not yet commented publicly, but friends say they are “shaken but safe” — and grateful for the quick actions of the emergency services.
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