A house caught fire when it was hit by lightning this afternoon (Wednesday 21 May).
Seven fire engines were sent to the scene, including an aerial ladder platform, as the public was urged to stay away from the area.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service put out the blaze which started in the roof of a house in School Close, Fittleworth, near Pulborough.
The lightning strike happened shortly before 3pm and, when fire crews arrived, neighbours were advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
The fire service said: “We were called at 2.57pm to a house fire caused by a lightning strike in School Close, Fittleworth.
“We currently have six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform at the scene.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working to extinguish a fire in the roof space of the property.
“School Lane is currently closed and people are being advised to avoid the area.”
The lightning struck during a spell of rainy downpours and thunderstorms across the wider area this afternoon.
The Met Office even warned of the possibility of a tornado or funnel cloud today as heavy rains followed one of the driest springs in Britain since records began.
The official forecaster said that Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area had seen the worst of the wet weather so far, with about a third of an inch or 8mm of rain recorded in Plumpton.
