Four homes destroyed by lightning strikes in Essex

Firefighters have tackled a fire in the roof of four semi-detached houses in Essex after they were struck by lightning.

Essex Fire & Rescue arrived at the properties in Bradwell in the early hours of this morning, to find the fire was affecting the roof spaces of two properties, and smoke was affecting two further properties.

Essex Fire Service was called to the scene on Wednesday Credit: Essex Fire & Rescue

It took crews nearly 40 minutes to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters remained at the scene for a further two hours dampening down remaining hotspots in the roof and ventilating the affected properties.

The residents of all four properties escaped without injury.