A bolt of lightning struck St Benedict's Nursing Home on Benedict Street in Glastonbury at the height of last night's severe thunderstorm, sparking a small electrical fire that left one resident being treated as a precaution.
Emergency services were scrambled to the White Care Group-run facility shortly after midnight when staff reported smoke emanating from an en-suite bathroom on the second floor. Fire crews from nearby stations tackled the blaze, which was largely contained to one room and a damaged roof tile. One resident was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital as a precautionary measure, while three others were evacuated by firefighters.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service deployed multiple teams to combat the fire, which they extinguished by 05:51 BST. South Western Ambulance Service sent two ambulances to the scene, transporting one patient from the property. White Care Group assured residents that it is providing extensive support following the incident.
The storm, described as "horrendous" by a neighbour, had triggered fire alarms in nearby flats and automatically alerted the fire station. Somerset was under a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms at the time of the lightning strike, issued by the Met Office. The organisation also warned of potential disruption due to lightning, hail, and localised flooding across parts of England.
As the UK continues to experience severe storms, residents are reminded to take precautions during thunderstorms: unplugging non-essential electrical appliances, avoiding landline telephones, and staying indoors if possible. If caught outside, find shelter in a building or car and avoid isolated trees or open water.
The Met Office issued various weather warnings for the UK, with different regions experiencing varying levels of disruption. Temperatures across affected areas ranged from 14-18 degrees Celsius, accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 30-40 mph in exposed locations.