Welsh home in flames after suspected lightning strike

A fire has broken out a home in North Wales following reports of a suspected lightning strike. The blaze broke out on Chester Road in Gresford.

North Wales Police have closed a road as firefighters from the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service tackle the fire. The public has been urged to avoid the area.

The suspected strike took place at around 5pm as local residents told North Wales Live that a large thunderstorm had broken out.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a bright flash of lightning. One local said: "This is awful. I’ve never heard thunder so loud. Our windows were rattling. I hope they are unharmed."

It's understood no-one has been seriously hurt in the fire. Local councillor Jeremy Kent praised and thanked the emergency services whoe are still at the scene.

He said: "As I joked about the storm, shortly after, the alarm was raised that a house had caught fire following a lightning strike. After hot footing it across the village the resident was thankfully being led away and went for care at a friend’s house not too far away.

"They were understandably shaken, but in good hands. My praise and thanks to the emergency services who attended (and are still present) to deal with the incident.

"After making sure all was in hand, I attended the candle lighting I mentioned and lit a candle in memory of the 266 men who died in the Gresford Mining Disaster (in 1934) on behalf of the village."

The cause of the blaze has yet to be confirmed by the fire service.