Home   Medway   News   Article

House in Dunkirk Drive, Chatham, catches fire after being struck by lightning

A man's house was left ruined after it was struck by lightning.

Daniel Wright, 25, who lives in Dunkirk Drive, Chatham, with his mum and brother, was returning to his home last night at around 8pm when it was struck and caught alight.

Firefighters were quickly at the scene putting out the fire, but due to the amount of water pressure the ceiling collapsed.

A house caught alight in Dunkirk Drive, Gillingham after it was struck with lightning. Picture: Mike Wright (5331534)
A house caught alight in Dunkirk Drive, Gillingham after it was struck with lightning. Picture: Mike Wright (5331534)

Mr Wright's father, Mike Wright, of Style Close, Rainham, said he was glad nobody was hurt.

The 53-year-old said: "I spoke to Daniel at around 9pm who told me the house had been hit by lightning at around 8.

"I was totally shocked by it, but once I found out everyone was okay I calmed down.

A house caught alight in Dunkirk Drive, Gillingham after it was struck with lightning. Picture: Mike Wright (5331536)
A house caught alight in Dunkirk Drive, Gillingham after it was struck with lightning. Picture: Mike Wright (5331536)

"The fire services were very quick to arrive and put the fire out efficiently.

"Unfortunately the amount of water they had to use brought down the ceilings."

The Invicta Dynamo fanatics said despite the unfortunate events they'll be watching them take on the Swindon Wildcats at Planet Ice Gillingham tonight.

Mike Wright added: "It won't stop us all going tonight."

Ambulances attended an incident in Dunkirk Drive last night. (5331561)
Ambulances attended an incident in Dunkirk Drive last night. (5331561)

Two ambulances were spotted in the road after the lightning strike and some residents were left without internet as their landlines were blown.

Spokesman for the fire service Sacha Taylor said: "Two fire engines were called to a house in Chatham to reports of a small fire in a roof after it had been struck by lightning.

"The incident caused damage to an area of roof tiles and ignited part of the roofing felt and insulation.

"Crews identified possible fire spread using the thermal image camera and used a fog spike to extinguish the fire. They left the scene at 8.39pm."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More