No reports of injuries after fire in roof of house, reports James Cracknell

*Aftermath of the blaze in Westpole Road, which investigators say was caused by a lightning strike (credit London Fire Brigade)*

Investigators from London Fire Brigade have concluded that a house fire in Cockfosters on Saturday night was started by a lightning strike.

Although no-one was hurt by the blaze, the roof of the semi-detached house in Westpole Avenue was destroyed and a small part of the roof of an adjoining house was also damaged by the blaze.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze at around 6pm and brought it under control by 7.30pm. The brigade’s fire investigators have since concluded that the fire was accidental and caused by a lightning strike.

Station commander Paul Eastland, who was at the scene, said: “Crews arrived to find a fully developed fire in the roof of a house, which had also spread to a small area of an adjoining property.

“Crews worked incredibly hard using one of our turntable ladders to remove tiles from the roof of the building and access the fire to bring it under control.

“Fires caused by lightning are uncommon but unfortunately can cause quite extensive damage.”

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