A HAMPSHIRE garage was wrecked by fire after a suspected lightning strike.

The structure in Kingsley Place, Winchester was gutted before a fire crew was able to quell the flames at around 2.30am today.

The incident was part of a huge thunderstorm which battered Hampshire between 1am and 3am today.

PHOTOS: Thunderstorm creates spectacular lightning storm over Southampton >>>

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the garage and the 1970s Ford Granada car parked inside were both destroyed.

The blaze was extinguished by Eastleigh firefighters because the Winchester crew were answering what turned out to be a false alarm.

Local city councillor Jamie Scott, who took the photos at Princes Place, Stanmore, said: "The fire service attended quickly.

"There was a vehicle inside the garage and the fire service opened up the garage next to the one hit which also had a vehicle in too."

Fire crews from Winchester attended several automatic fire alarms early today caused by the thunderstorms.