A Bobbing man says he and his wife are “lucky to be alive” after escaping from a fire at their home started by a lightning strike this morning.

The blaze caused extensive damage to Tony and Tracy Jeffrey’s house in Keycoll Hill, Bobbing, destroying the first floor, as an electrical storm swept across Kent last night.

A bolt of lightning struck near the chimney at around 3.30am and flames quickly spread through the property.

The couple managed to flee through the front door as neighbours rallied round to help.

Mr Jeffrey said: “It might have been the aerial [which was hit by lightning] but it’s just impossible to tell.

“The house immediately caught fire. The top floor was on fire absolutely in seconds. As soon as it hit the house was in blackness.”

Neighbour Glen Larkin said he was in bed when the storm hit the home.

He said: “There was a really, really loud bang – an extremely loud bang. I went outside and there were quite a few people stood outside.

“The fire spread really quickly and everyone called the fire brigade and we tried to keep back.”

Four fire crews were called to the scene and used hose reel jets to put out the blaze.

A British Red Cross vehicle was also in attendance to provide support.

Mr Jeffrey, who is retired, said: “We have a few cuts and bruises but we are lucky to be alive. The only thing that has been untouched is the downstairs loo.”

The married couple will now be staying with family.

There were also reports of a power cut in the ME9 area of Sittingbourne.