A house in Bristol was engulfed in flames after a lightning strike on Monday evening, as extreme heat and thunderstorms swept across the UK during a record-breaking June heatwave.
Several homes were evacuated in the Emerson's Green area of the city after lightning struck a property at 5.55pm, causing the roof to collapse under the ferocity of the fire. Avon Fire and Rescue Service crews arrived to find the house “well alight with significant damage”, a spokesperson said. Dramatic video from the scene shows firefighters aiming jets of water through windows while distressed onlookers gather in the street. Everyone inside the house escaped unhurt.
“Lightning strike sets house ablaze in Bristol as UK faces record-breaking June heatwave”
The lightning strike came as a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe threatens to push temperatures to 40C in parts of England and Wales, according to the Met Office. The UK is already in the grip of a heatwave likely to break the June temperature record set in Hampshire in 1976 by several degrees, and could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C, recorded in July 2022.
Bristol Airport was forced to close amid the dangerous conditions, while schools across the country have shut and transport bosses have warned against all but essential travel – rare red warnings are in place over the extreme temperatures.
The hot weather, which can leave people feeling tired and lethargic as their bodies work harder to regulate internal temperature, also brings difficulty sleeping. Experts advise keeping to usual bedtime routines, closing curtains during the day to block out the sun, and opening windows at night to create a through breeze. Thin cotton sheets can absorb sweat, and wearing loose-fitting natural fibres may be cooler than sleeping naked. A fan encourages evaporation, while a hot water bottle filled with ice-cold liquid or socks cooled in the fridge can help lower body temperature. Staying hydrated is crucial, but avoid large amounts before bed to prevent waking for bathroom trips. Caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided – while alcohol may help with falling asleep, it promotes early morning waking and poorer quality sleep.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to stay safe during the “exceptional spell of hot and humid weather”, which “could impact everyone”. The lightning-struck house now stands as a stark reminder of the power of the storms accompanying the heat.