Lightning strikes Walsall house sparking blaze
A house was damaged after a lightning strike in Walsall this morning.
It struck the roof and sparked a blaze in the upstairs of the detached property in Martin Road, Park Hall.
This is believed to have spread to water pipes which helped to put out flames.
Neighbours heard a loud noise at around 1am but the fire was only discovered at light when passers-by saw the black windows.
Firefighters were called around 9am and made sure the premises were safe. Around 15 per cent of fire damage was caused to a bathroom and 80 per cent smoke logging on the first floor.
No-one was hurt and the main visible signs were blacked out windows and a cover put over a small part of the roof.
Watch commander Ian Cash, from Walsall said it was believed to have been a slow burning blaze and water pipes had burst and quelled the fire. It was mainly confined to the first floor. He said: "It looks more than likely it was caused by a lightning strike."