A HOUSE has been set ablaze after being hit by a lightning strike as thunderstorms sweep the country.
The Met Office has also warned of a possible incoming tornado as the UK braces for a spell of stormy weather.
A house in Fittleworth, Chichester, in West Sussex, burst into flames and smoke billowed from the roof.
Firefighters rushed to the scene at 3pm, with several fire engines attending.
Homes nearby were told to keep their doors and windows shut as crews worked to extinguish the fire.
A spokesperson from the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said yesterday: “We were called at 2.57pm to a house fire caused by a lightning strike in School Close, Fittleworth.
“We currently have six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform at the scene.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working to extinguish a fire in the roof space of the property.
“School Lane is currently closed and people are being advised to avoid the area.”
They later added that the fire had been “scaled back”. No casualties have been reported.
The blaze comes amid forecasts for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
While the Met Office warned there is a risk of thunder and lightning, it even said there’s a possibility for a brief tornado.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Bit of a north-south split in our weather through today – northern parts having a lot of fine, sunny weather, meanwhile in the south we’ve seen some wet weather push its way in.
“There will be further showery bursts to come as we go through the rest of today.”
He added: “It’s not out of the question that we could see a funnel cloud, maybe even a brief tornado across parts of the South East.”
After a spell of sunny weather, Brits woke up to downpours on Wednesday morning as forecasters warned that a turn in the weather was coming in over the weekend.
The rainy weather will gradually spread across the nation on Saturday and Sunday with Bank Holiday Monday likely seeing both sunshine and showers.
This will largely be scattered showers but some storms may develop across northwest England and southwest Scotland.
The south of England and Wales may see more rain and showers today but other areas are expected to enjoy fine weather.
Thursday and Friday will see more sunshine, particularly in the west.
However, Thursday and Friday may also experience unseasonably cold nights with possibilities of isolated frost.
This follows the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway explained: “The high pressure that has been around for the last few weeks will slowly lose its grip on the UK this week, bringing a change to more unsettled conditions with many areas seeing rain or showers, ending the prolonged dry spell.
“The change comes this weekend, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic, arriving from the west probably later on Friday and through Saturday.
“They will bring with them spells of rain, which may be heavy at times, with a risk of strong winds in places.
“These conditions will gradually spread across the UK on Saturday, with Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday likely seeing sunshine and showers.
“So, whilst the Bank Holiday won’t be a complete washout, with some sunshine expected, this weekend represents a notable shift from the fine and settled weather pattern that has dominated so far this month.”
Rain struck in Chippenham, Wiltshire, yesterday, causing misery for motorists[/caption]
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