House struck by lightning as summer thunderstorms and flash flooding hit UK
This is the extraordinary moment a house in Sheffield was engulfed in flames after it was struck by lightning on Tuesday evening.
More than 20 firefighters were called to the property as violent thunderstorms swept across Scotland and the north of England, causing flash flooding in places.
Five fire crews and a turntable ladder were sent to the house in the Millhouses area of Sheffield on Tuesday evening but the damage was limited to the roof.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said: "Firefighters have just finished tackling a fire on Millhouses Road, Sheffield.
"It is thought the blaze, which involved the roof of a three-storey house, was started when the property was hit by lightning.
"Five fire engines and a turntable ladder were called after the call at 7.28pm.
"Nobody was hurt in the incident.”
The strike happened as a storm moved across the city, bringing a dramatic lightning display and bursts of heavy rain.
Similar storms brought flash flooding to the North West of England, leaving roads and shops submerged.
Thunderstorms hit parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, causing police to urge drivers to drop their speed following reports of traffic collisions.
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An entire street in Milnrow, Rochdale, was flooded after the River Beal burst its banks, and local councillor Andy Kelly said it was the "worst flood he had seen in 20 years”.
Pictures of lightning across the region were shared on social media, along with videos of heavy rainfall.
Thunder and lightning across the Shire - Sauron is planning his next move (where to cut funds quietly from a different social fund no doubt). pic.twitter.com/rrDjqBK745
— Lost in the Shire (@hobbitoncentral) June 16, 2020
More spectacular stuff in the sky this evening.#ThunderAndLightning pic.twitter.com/Vmsf0gH3YJ
— Colin Roberts (@colin_roberts) June 16, 2020
Some serious #thunder and #lightning in Burbage, Leicestershire tonight! pic.twitter.com/crnhBgHTvH
— Tia Goadby (@GoadbyTia) June 15, 2020
Some roads were also closed as drivers reported spray and sudden flooding, which led to difficult driving conditions.
North West Motorway Police tweeted: "Numerous reports being received across the region of flash flooding, resulting in collisions.
⚠️There is a Thunderstorm warning for many areas of the UK during this afternoon and this evening.⚠️
Please see https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs for more details ⛈️
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/GwmHFfcX0J— Met Office (@metoffice) June 17, 2020
"Please if out and about, drive to the road conditions, drop your speeds.”
Parts of Scotland were also affected by the wet weather, which first struck overnight on Monday.
It came after the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for north-west England, south-west Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.
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Forecasters said up to 50mm of rain would fall in two to three hours over the evening, while storms could continue into Wednesday morning.
The Met Office website added: "These showers and thunderstorms will only slowly die out through the evening, but may persist across north-west England, south-west Scotland and perhaps eastern Northern Ireland into the early hours of Wednesday morning."