ABOUT 25 firefighters rushed to the Stanhope Estate, Ashford, on Friday after a house was hit by lightning during heavy storms.

Pumps from Ashford, Folkestone and Canterbury turned out to Lynsted Close to find the roof of one terraced home well alight.

It is thought smoke spread through the shared loft space of several other houses.

These were evacuated as firefighters battled in severe weather conditions to control the blaze.

It is understood no one was injured. The lightning struck at about 9.30am.