'Houses shook' during lightning strike

A 79-year-old woman has been left homeless after her house in Stoke-on-Trent was hit by lightning, causing a small fire.

The property on Bambury Street, Longton, was badly damaged about 17:25 BST on Saturday, with the electrics in neighbouring homes also affected.

"All the houses on the street shook. It was terrifying... chaos, like being in a film," said local resident Hayley Johnson, who has set up a fundraiser to help the homeowner with repair costs.

"She was in complete and utter shock. I don't think she fully realised what had happened," said Ms Johnson, who added the change in the weather had happened very quickly.

Ms Johnson said: "It was nice and sunny, then all of a sudden the rain started coming, the thunder and lightning. It was very, very fast."

Her mother, who lives opposite the affected property and has given the 79-year-old shelter since the strike, said it had "sounded and felt like a bomb".

It had also affected the electrics at neighbouring properties, with plugs "exploding", electrical items being "fried" and internet routers "frazzled", said Ms Johnson.

There had been roof tiles "everywhere" and everyone had been out in the street, with a man leading the woman to safety, she added.

A very small fire as a result of the strike had caused an external gas pipe to rupture, said Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, but no-one had been hurt.

The upstairs ceilings in the property had partially collapsed, the electrics had blown, and it was not safe to be in, said Ms Johnson.

She said she had decided to set up an online fundraiser after the homeowner said: "I don't know what I am going to do, I can't pay for this."

The donations and help people were offering had been "amazing", she added.

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