"It felt like a bomb had gone off": Lights explode and hole blown in roof after lightning hits houses in thunderstorm

Lights and plug sockets exploded, smoke filled the rooms and a hole was blown in a roof after lightning struck houses in a sudden thunderstorm on Sunday (June 11).

Fire crews raced to the scene of the terrifying incident on Thornton Road, Rusholme, shortly after 4pm when a bolt of lightning hit the roof of two terraced homes.

Residents, who have now been evacuated and had their electricity cut off, told of the 'huge explosion' that sounded 'like a bomb had gone off'.

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Tiles were also ripped off walls as fuse boxes and light switches were left blackened and charred, with some roof tiles damaging a Tesla parked outside. Several houses were evacuated with three people receiving injuries.

Francis Clarence had been stood beside his electrical switch when the lightning struck. He has been left with a huge hole in the roof of his home and also his shed, after tiles fell off the roof and caused damage.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News from outside his house, he said: "I was inside and heard this huge loud bang. It was a huge blast and I was stood next to the electric switch that just blew up.

"There was a tube light in the attic that exploded and all the tiles broke off my roof and fell on my car. Downstairs, two light fittings fell off and one light landed on my son but he is okay.

"We have been advised to move somewhere else because we have no electricity and we are waiting for the insurance to look at it.

"There was smoke coming from the roof and there is a big hole in the attic. It was so loud I still can't hear properly. It was a near miss so we do feel lucky."

Francis' next door neighbour Lena was working on her laptop inside at the time