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Homes in Kent have been damaged by lightning strikes as severe storms sweep across the county

Several homes in Kent were struck by lightning during last night's storm which swept across the county.

Firefighters were called at around 9.30pm to a roof alight at a house in Maidstone Road, Lenham.

Crews used breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and a main jet to tackle the fire.

Lightning above Maidstone
Lightning above Maidstone

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Two properties in the Willesborough area of Ashford were also affected by lightning strikes which blew out power sockets and started several small fires in Hunter Road.

In the early hours of this morning, four pumps were called to a fire in the roof of a Whitstable bungalow.

A British Red Cross support vehicle was also called to the scene in South Street to provide help for the residents.

The skies above Whistable, Picture via @bgstrowger
The skies above Whistable, Picture via @bgstrowger

At around the same time, crews were needed to tackle a blaze affecting the first flood and roof of a house in Keycol Hill, Bobbing near Sittingbourne.

There are no reports of anyone being injured.

These are some more of the stunning shots of the skies above Kent last night - as the extreme weather threatened to cancel a sell-out concert.

Thunder and lightning hit the county from 8pm. It led to the cancellation of Kent's cricket match against Somerset at Canterbury, which was abandoned with the hosts 40 runs ahead.

This spectacular image shows the storm clouds over Greenhithe. Picture: @londonviewpts
This spectacular image shows the storm clouds over Greenhithe. Picture: @londonviewpts
The unusual cloud formations over Tenterden this evening. Picture: @paulwdumbleton
The unusual cloud formations over Tenterden this evening. Picture: @paulwdumbleton

The storms also hit an open-air concert at Rochester Castle.

Thousands had turned up for the sell-out show - part of the annual castle concerts.

But, as the heavens opened, the crowds rushed for cover and organisers were forced to put a temporary halt to the show.

At just before 10.30pm the reggae band - who date back to the 1970s - returned back to the stage as organisers promised the show would go on.

Meanwhile, forecasters have predicted up to 30mm of rain could fall in an hour during particularly heavy downpours over the weekend.

This amazing shot was taken in Sevenoaks by @davegainsy
This amazing shot was taken in Sevenoaks by @davegainsy
UB40 battled on at the castle concerts before the show was suspended. Picture: @castleconcerts
UB40 battled on at the castle concerts before the show was suspended. Picture: @castleconcerts

The Met Office warned: "Significant flooding is possible from surface water as well as from small, fast-responding watercourses."

Lightning, large hail stones and strong gusts of wind are also expected. Scroll down to see more of the images captured this evening.

This shot of Tonbridge was taken by @britishguy81
This shot of Tonbridge was taken by @britishguy81
This picture shows the strange colours filling the skies before the storms. Picture: Nikki and Pete
This picture shows the strange colours filling the skies before the storms. Picture: Nikki and Pete
Curious storm clouds gather over Kent. Steph Pilcher
Curious storm clouds gather over Kent. Steph Pilcher
Lightning in Tonbridge. Picture via @tontweet
Lightning in Tonbridge. Picture via @tontweet
We were sent ths image of the skies above Sittingbourne by @vietechheating
We were sent ths image of the skies above Sittingbourne by @vietechheating

Check KentOnline and kmfm for the latest weather updates across the weekend.

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