ANDOVER crews were called to two suspected lightning strikes on buildings.

Three pumps from Andover, Winchester and Whitchurch were called out to Barton Stacey and Nether Wallop where a suspected lightning strike had hit a pavilion.

Crews were there for approximately four hours.

Andover Fire Station wrote on Facebook: “No injuries but the fuse board was arcing very violently, so crews stayed until it was made safe.

“If your house is hit by lightning please get out, stay out and call 999.”

After the lightning strikes, crews were then mobilised at 11.30pm along with Stockbridge and Salisbury to another building struck by lightning in Nether Wallop.

One social media user commented on the Facebook post, saying: “Thanks very much for looking after us.”

And another wrote: “This is why I hate lightning.”

Local democrat councillor for Harroway ward, Luigi Gregori, spoke about the lack of lightning occurrences in the town.

Cllr Gregori told The Advertiser: “Fire brigades in Andover play an important role.

“It is important that the standards of building regulations are upheld.

“Buildings should have lightning conductors.

“It protects not just the building but people inside.

“We don’t have that many thunderstorms in Andover.

“People don’t fully understand what a danger lightning can be.

“People are not used to seeing lightning.

“We rarely have lightning and with climate change happening, we rarely see more changes in how weather patterns work and it’s a worrying trend.”

Councillor Robin Hughes for Harroway, said: “I heard the noise and heard some long rolling thunder yesterday and didn’t see the lightning flashes.

“Lightning was spectacular on all its longevity. Some of them seemed to roll on for ten or fifteen seconds, which is something I have not heard for such a long time.

“It was cloud based lightning and the rumbles were rumbling into one another.

“We don’t get a great deal of lightning and it’s not something that has ever been an issue.

“With taller buildings, they should be properly conducted.

“In the past, not many houses get struck.

“There has been the odd one or two and you hear about a tree being struck.

“But you are literally in the lap of the gods if you are struck by lightning.

“The taller the building, the more likely it will be for lightning to strike.

“It is unfortunate for those that have suffered their homes and properties but it’s a random event that no-one has any control over.”