A fire broke out at a home in Aviemore this morning after being struck by lightning.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received a call-out at around 10am on Monday, August 12.
Four appliances and a height vehicle were sent to the scene in the Grampian View area, tackling the blaze.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10am on Monday, 12 August, to reports of a dwelling fire following a lightning strike on Grampian View, Aviemore.
“Operations Control mobilised four appliances and a height vehicle, and firefighters remain on the scene.
“There were no reported casualties.”
‘It’s so desperately sad for the family’
Retired physics teacher Nick Forwood, 67, was standing at the entrance to his own home on the street when lightning stuck the neighbouring property.
He said a woman and two children were inside at the time, but that they managed to escape.
“Even though I was 100 yards away I could feel the electric shock run up my legs, it was weird and surprising,” said the ex-member of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
“I was tracking the lightning strikes on an App – I could see them coming but it was still a shock when they arrived.
“After the house was hit you could smell the smoke and about half an hour later flames were coming through the roof in two places.
“Fortunately the family inside got out – there was a woman and two children. They were lucky but they must have lost everything. The fire was in the roof, ceilings were collapsing it was too dangerous at first for the firefighters.
“The fourth member of the family was not there at the time.
“As well as the thunder and lightning, it was chucking it down. I guess the house can’t be saved and will have to be demolished. It is so desperately sad for the family involved. But the weather was just incredible.”
The P&J previously reported that the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across the north of Scotland.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.”
It is unknown the severity of the fire at this time. Our reporters are working to bring you the latest updates on this developing story.
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