A WOMAN escaped unhurt when a lightning strike set her luxury home on fire. Mum-of-three Lorraine Coppola, 62, heard a `huge crack like a gunshot' before all the lights went out.
She ran outside - and saw smoke coming from the roof of her three-storey townhouse in Oakwood Lane, Bowdon. Firefighters arrived and evacuated 30 of her neighbours from 11 homes as the blaze threatened to spread.
Thirty firefighters from Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Wythenshawe were called in at the height of the blaze. The lightning strike happened just before 10pm as a violent storm swept over the Altrincham area.
Gunshot
Mrs Coppola said: "There was a very loud bang, a huge crack like a gunshot. The lights went out and I thought there'd been a power cut. I thought lightning must have hit somewhere.
"I went to check and could see smoke coming from the back bedroom. The roof is gone and the weight from the water and the smoke damage means it's dangerous to go up there. The flames were leaping when the fire service arrived.
"We were due to be going to Italy for a wedding, but the packed luggage is ruined. It couldn't have come at a worse time but at least we're all safe."
Lucky
Husband Luciano, 62, said: "At least it didn't happen later when we were all in bed."
Firefighters had to remove part of the Coppolas' roof to get to the blaze.
Nigel Perkins, incident commander for the fire brigade, said: "I've been with the service for 23 years and this is the first lightning strike I've been on but the electrical storm last night was huge. They've had a lucky escape."
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Guten Tag, Manchester (19/06/2009 at 12:12)
adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (19/06/2009 at 12:50)
I had a colleague here who had his modem destroyed twice by lightning strikes and I advised him to unplug the modem when not in use.
I know there is controversy amongst computer buffs about constantly turning off the computer. Some say it puts strain on components and reduces the life of the hardware. But I have been adopting this turn-off policy for years and, touch wood, never had any trouble. Maybe chips etc., are more robust these days.
Sorry if this piece of well-meant advice comes over in any way as patronizing !
It isn`t meant to be so, but I`d love to save someone the anguish of losing costly items. Best wishes.
Edina Clouds, GREAT Manchester (19/06/2009 at 14:35)
Would it have made the news if it was an inner city two up two down?
The storm was city wide not just in the south.
Maynard Kitchener Lampwick Manchester , (19/06/2009 at 14:46)
Well Said, if it was Miles Platting or Hulme it would not have made the news bulletin,anywhere past Sale is Luxury to the M.E.N....Think that's where all the reporters live in Luxury Cheshire.....
Anyway its a act of God Insurance is not covered..
Guten Tag, Manchester (19/06/2009 at 14:49)
Maynard Kitchener Lampwick Manchester , (19/06/2009 at 14:52)
Lightning is a act of God, insurances are not covered, read the policy, so your saving nothing mate.....
local_lass, Burnage (19/06/2009 at 15:24)
"Buildings insurance usually covers loss or damage caused by:
Fire
Smoke
Flood
Subsidence
Lightening
Extreme cold
Arson
Theft
Vandalism
Falling trees "
Andanotherthing, Mcr (19/06/2009 at 15:44)
I think there was a report in this paper about a house in Wythenshawe struck by a lightening ball a year or so back. Still in south Manchester but not Des Res and reported in full.
Guten Tag, Manchester (19/06/2009 at 16:22)
lebist, blackley (19/06/2009 at 19:38)
Trish Lowe (19/06/2009 at 22:05)
This would have been reported wherever it had been in Manchester. It isn't really a luxury area, just a well kept house in a well kept part of Manchester. I used to live there and the people concerned are hardworking and not living in the lap of luxury!!!!
Maynard Kitchener Lampwick Manchester , (19/06/2009 at 22:33)
it cost me just over a hundred quid to fix
They seen Halfwit coming..
Guten Tag, Manchester (20/06/2009 at 12:17)