RESIDENTS had a lucky escape from two homes in Andover after a freak bolt of lightning set fire to their properties during a thunderstorm.

It is estimated there is a one in 1.2million chance of being hit by lightning in the UK, and on Mercia Avenue, the nightmare became reality on Saturday morning, July 24.

It happened between 3.30am and 4am and the fire service arrived around 40 minutes later, as they were fighting a blaze elsewhere, residents said. 

Seven crews scrambled to the scene by 4.37am by which time the inferno was tearing through the roofs.

Michael Riley, whose home was destroyed, described it “like a cannon going off”.

A 70-year-old woman was checked over by paramedics.

Read the full story in this week's edition of the Advertiser. Also in this week’s paper:

- Compensation for falsely accused sub-postmistress

- Andover tennis coach receives lifetime achievement award

- Nine at risk of redundancy as charity moves

- Conservatives reveealed as biggest election spenders in borough

- Garden centre gets green light for expansion

- Glamping pods cause controversy in Weyhill

- New £7m building to replace civic centre 

- Two page picture spread as town celebrates independent businesses

- Two pages of YOUR letters

- And much, much more

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