This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-25896795
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| West Bromwich church and houses hit by lightning in storm | West Bromwich church and houses hit by lightning in storm |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A heavy storm has battered the Midlands region, with houses and a church struck by lightning and trees uprooted. | |
| Lightning cracked a stained glass window ledge at St Michael and Holy Angels church in West Bromwich at 15:00 GMT, West Midlands Fire Service said. | Lightning cracked a stained glass window ledge at St Michael and Holy Angels church in West Bromwich at 15:00 GMT, West Midlands Fire Service said. |
| A spokesman said the charge went through a tree leaning against the window and set floorboards alight. | A spokesman said the charge went through a tree leaning against the window and set floorboards alight. |
| Bolts also struck houses in Wollescote, Stirchley and Northfield. | Bolts also struck houses in Wollescote, Stirchley and Northfield. |
| 'Absolute devastation' | |
| Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said it had received about 10 reports of trees falling over because of the weather. | Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said it had received about 10 reports of trees falling over because of the weather. |
| There were also reports of roof slates being dislodged and car windows being smashed in Galley Common, near Nuneaton in Warwickshire. | There were also reports of roof slates being dislodged and car windows being smashed in Galley Common, near Nuneaton in Warwickshire. |
| One Galley Common resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It was absolute devastation. bricks damaged, cars ruined. | |
| "There were between six and 10 houses wrecked. Garages have been torn off. It's just a nightmare." | |
| Warwickshire Police said it had received reports of "extensive damage" at Galley Common but no injuries. It said it was working with partners to ensure residents received support. | |
| Overhead power lines | Overhead power lines |
| Four fire crews were called to Oakfield Road in Wollescote at about 15:00 GMT after lightning hit a roof, causing a fire at two houses. A woman in one of the homes received treatment after inhaling smoke. | |
| A bolt hit a house in Newlands Road in Stirchley around the same time, setting curtains on fire in a ground floor lounge. | A bolt hit a house in Newlands Road in Stirchley around the same time, setting curtains on fire in a ground floor lounge. |
| Another lightning bolt hit a television aerial above a house in Fancott Road in Northfield, causing damage to wiring. | Another lightning bolt hit a television aerial above a house in Fancott Road in Northfield, causing damage to wiring. |
| The fire service also said a 40ft conifer tree had been uprooted in Stoneleigh Road, Birmingham. | The fire service also said a 40ft conifer tree had been uprooted in Stoneleigh Road, Birmingham. |
| Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said they were called just after 15:00 to reports of trees that had blown on to overhead power lines in Suckley near Worcester. | Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said they were called just after 15:00 to reports of trees that had blown on to overhead power lines in Suckley near Worcester. |
| A spokesman said an 11,000 volt electricity pole was also blown over close to a garden in Offenham. | A spokesman said an 11,000 volt electricity pole was also blown over close to a garden in Offenham. |