Lightning strikes Tipton home

Lightning struck the home of an elderly couple in the Black Country during a freak thunderstorm.

The house in Toll End Road, Tipton, suffered scorch damage after being struck by the bolt at 5.30pm yesterday.

Two elderly occupants were checked over by paramedics but were not injured.

Tipton fire station watch commander Keith Hampton said today: "It appears the lightning struck the television aerial and travelled down to an electricity junction box, which then exploded.

"There was a strong smell of smoke in the property and some damage to the walls and cables, but apart from the shock of the incident, the occupants were not harmed."

Engineers from Central Networks checked the supply, which was declared safe.