Terrifying blaze engulfs Bristol home after lightning strike triggers explosion

This is the moment an inferno raged through a suburban home after the roof was reportedly struck by lightning.

The freak weather event is thought to have caused a blaze which wrought significant damage to the home after neighbours heard an “explosion”.

Footage shows roaring orange flames behind the facade of a house in Emersons Green, Bristol, on Monday evening.

Neighbours look on as the fierce flames break leap high above the roof, which looks to be completely destroyed.

Just a few charred beams can be seen remaining in the video of the shocking incident.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service received a report that a fire had broken out at a property on Wadham Grove at around 5.55pm yesterday.

Laura Sibley, who lives in a nearby estate, told The Sun the lightning strike sounded like an explosion.

She said: “I was upstairs and it was dark. I heard an explosion and it was terrifying. I’ve never heard anything so loud before.

“Thankfully the house is semi-detached and it didn’t spread further. I’m glad they got out okay but it must have been very scary for them.”

Video shows firefighters running bravely towards the blaze, tackling the flames with high-pressure fire hoses from a fire engine stationed outside the house.

A huge plume of dark grey smoke can be seen billowing from the semi-detached home.

As it continues to burn, neighbours and passers-by gather around to watch the spectacle, agog at the ferocity of the blaze.

The fire service said: “Upon arrival, crews found the house well alight with significant damage.”

The service said crews from  Kingswood, Temple, Southmead, Patchway and Portishead fire stations were called to the scene.

They managed to extinguish the majority of the fire and remain at the site checking for hotspots.

Eyewitnesses told Bristol Live that the occupants safely fled the flames, with the fire brigade turning up quickly.