Aftermath of lightning strike in Gravesend

by KM reporters

Lightning sparked blazes, familes were evacuated and flooding closed a series of roads as the heavens opened over Kent this afternoon.

Just 24 hours after thermometers topped 33 degrees, the county was battered by an electrical storm.

Houses in Ashford, Gillingham, Tonbridge and Gravesend were hit as thunder, lightning and even hailstones lashed down.

Forecasters are warning up to 40mm of rain could fall in just a few hours.

The A2 Watling Street westbound is partially blocked due to flooding at the M2 junction 1 near Strood.

Strood High Street was also closed because of flooding and there were reports of a power cut in the town.

The A227 Wrotham Road is closed in both directions due to an overturned lorry between A2 Watling Street near Gravesend East Tollgate Services and Park Hill.

Three appliances from Ashford, Folkestone and Chilham were called to Kilndown Close, Stanhope in Ashford after lightning set fire to the roof of a house.

A man and woman had to be treated for breathing in smoke.

Meanwhile, fire crews from Tonbridge and Paddock Wood were needed after lightning hit the aerial of a house in Havelock Road, Tonbridge. It is not thought anyone was hurt.

Several young families have been evacuated from a Gillingham street after two adjoining houses were badly damaged by a lightning strike.

It happened in Fox Street at about 3.30pm at the height of the thunderstorm

Lightning hits Fox Street, Gillingham

One nearby resident was watching the storm when she heard a loud bang.

Shortly after, she realised at least a house had been struck by a thunderbolt.

Alison Nicholson said: "I opened the door to look and saw flames coming out of the house so I knocked up my neighbour and told her to get out."

Several people sought shelter in the nearby Countryman public house.

At the height of the fire four fire engines six police cars and three ambulances were at the scene.

The road is closed in both directions. There were also problems at Canadian Avenue after rain flooded the road.

And a house in Vigilant Way, Gravesend, was also alight after a lightning strike.

Crews from Thames-side and Dartford are at the scene, with around 30 firefighters tackling the blaze.

Have you taken any amazing pictures of the weather? Have you got any rain stories? Tell us about your weather day below, or send your pictures to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk.