A couple said yesterday they were lucky to be alive after their island home was struck by lightning.
Richard and Susanne Knasel were in bed when their Skye home was hit by lightning at 4am on Monday.
The bolt hit a chimney causing it to explode and partially collapse the roof and ceilings.
The lightning also struck the electricity transformer behind their home, creating a massive power surge which blew up the phone lines, fuse boxes and power sockets in the house at Loch Caroy.
The couple fled their home fearing it was about to burst into flames and said that electricians were bewildered by the fact the property did not catch fire.
Mr Knasel said he and his wife, both 55, were wakened by the storm and were discussing whether to go downstairs and unplug the modem when the lightning struck.
He said: “If I had gone down to unplug the modem I would have been there pulling the plug out when the power surge hit.
“It all happened in a split second. There was one big bang as though a bomb had gone off in the house. I went to turn on the light and I realised there was no light switch because it had been blown out of the wall.
“We grabbed a torch and grabbed the cats and got out the house, not knowing whether a fire was starting or not.
“We’re just thankful that we are alive.
“We’ve got a bit of ringing in our ears and slight headaches but we’ve been able to walk out of a house that had been struck by lightning unscathed and give thanks to God for saving us.”
The couple praised the community which rallied round to support them, even putting them up in a cottage for a week.