Residents in Birmingham have described how their 'house shook when thunder struck' during a powerful storm that hit the city and the wider West Midlands region in the early hours of Thursday, May 28.
The storm brought vivid lightning and loud thunderclaps, startling many from their sleep. Some homes experienced power outages, particularly in parts of Bromsgrove and near Stourbridge.
Residents Share Their Experience
Kulvinder Mall, a resident of Perry Barr, told BirminghamLive: 'We both felt our house shake when the thunder came.'
Lightning Strike Causes Fire
A bungalow caught fire after being struck by lightning overnight in Witherley, near Atherstone. Fire crews from Warwickshire and Leicestershire responded to the blaze in Orchard Close. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
A spokesman for Nuneaton Fire Station said: 'Early this morning at 3.45am, Nuneaton's White Watch and Polesworth and Leicestershire Fire crews responded to a bungalow fire in Orchard Close, Witherley, following a direct lightning strike. The incident was originally mobilized with persons reported. Upon arrival, crews confirmed that thankfully everyone had managed to exit the properties safely.'
Travel Disruption
The heavy rain also delayed resurfacing work on the M5. Two lanes were closed between J5 (Droitwich) and J4A (the M42), causing traffic buildup this morning.
A National Highways spokesperson stated: 'Due to heavy rain overnight, resurfacing has taken longer than expected.'
