A couple from Oxfordshire, England, made a lucky escape after a lightning bolt struck their home minutes after they left—destroying the roof, blowing up the boiler, and frying the electrics.
A nearby Ring doorbell cam captured the moment 300 million volts shot down from the clouds and through the couple’s home—just four minutes after they went out for lunch.
The chimney was blasted off and countless holes were made through the roof of their newly built house, which they'd moved into in 2020.
“We made a lucky escape,” said one of the homeowners, who wishes to remain anonymous. “I can’t imagine what would have happened to us if we'd have still been inside.”
After the incident, the couple remained in “shock,” as the damage included three large holes in the roof, structural damage around the door frames, and bricks from the chimney falling on their car.
“We’re not sure when the gas and electricity can be reconnected because the damage is so extensive,” they said. “We probably have to move out, and it could be weeks.”
As well as their own house, the couple said their neighbor’s house was also affected by the strike. The same bolt of lightning also damaged some electrical equipment and their boiler.
“It’s really hard to believe,” the couple said. “Even the home insurance was asking if we’re sure because it’s so rare.”
However, the community has been very caring and rallied to help them by calling the fire brigade and calling the couple to inform them of what had happened.
A neighbor named Jessica, who lives across the street, said she heard the lightning strike from inside her home.
“We'd heard the thunder and not thought too much of it,” she said. “But the bang was so loud I thought something might have been hit so [I] went to look.
“It was scary: you just don’t think it will happen.”
