Lightning causes fires and serious house damage

Lightning causes fires and serious house damageImage source, Dan JessupImage caption, A home in Eastbourne was severely damaged when it was struck by lightningByPatrick BarlowSouth EastPublished27 June 2026, 08:23 BSTUpdated 5 minutes agoFire crews across Sussex and Kent have been battling blazes caused by lightning strikes in the early hours of the morning.In Crawley, firefighters are dealing with a blaze in Thatcher Close, which West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said had been caused by a lightning strike.Houses in Eastbourne and Bexhill were also struck by lightning within minutes of each other shortly after midnight, with four fire engines sent to each incident.Kent Fire and Rescue Service reported two fires caused by lightning overnight, including in Ulcombe near Maidstone where six fire engines attended the scene.An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the homes in Bexhill and Eastbourne had been "seriously damaged" by the strikes, while further strikes throughout the night had made the operation "more difficult".The spokesperson added: "Firefighters continued to work at the scene in Bexhill, using an aerial ladder platform as a water tower once the lightning eased.Image source, Eddie MitchellImage caption, Fire crews in Crawley are continuing to deal with blazes and damage caused by the strikes"They have been damping down hot spots and a re-inspection is planned at around 12:00."The incident in Eastbourne has now been closed, it added, after a "very busy night for staff".A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said four fire engines remain on the scene in Thatcher Close, confirming the blaze was also believed to have begun following a lightning strike at about 04:15 BST.Kent Fire and Rescue Service also said it was called to Newton Road in Faversham just after 03:31, and the fire was extinguished shortly before 04:30. No casualties have been reported at any of the incidents.Thunderstorm...