Norwich: Two Maze Avenue, Costessey homes hit by lightning

Houses in Maze Avenue, Costessey were struck twice on Tuesday night with one tearing through a roof and knocking tiles onto the window of a car, while the other landed in the loft of a neighbouring home.

Jessica Gribben, 33, who lives in one of the homes which were hit, was preparing dinner for a friend when she heard a "massive boom" and felt her house shake.

Ms Gribben said: "We heard a loud bang and the house shook.

Jessica Gribben, 33, whose home was struck by lightning (Image: Newsquest/Denise Bradley)

"I had no idea what it was but my friend said to me 'you've been struck'.

"I really felt it in my chest it went right through me, I can still feel it vibrating now.

"So we ran upstairs to check everything was ok as my two kids were there and thankfully there wasn't any smoke or anything.

Debris left on Ms Gribben's neighbour's car (Image: Newsquest/Denise Bradley)

"Where the lightning hit was right above my baby's cot.

"You mustn't think about what could have happened, but it could have been a lot worse.

A sheet covers the hole in the roof of the house next-door to Ms Gribben (Image: Newsquest/Denise Bradley)

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"When we went outside we saw the hole in our neighbour's roof and the damage to her car. It really was chucking it down too.

"Everyone was pitching together to help the fire brigade.

One of the homes struck by lightning (Image: Newsquest/Denise Bradley)

"She was really shaken up and tearful, she couldn't believe it."

Fire crews from both Earlham and Costessey were called to the scene at about 5.40pm to make the homes safe after a small blaze broke out in the loft of Ms Gribben's house, leaving at about 7pm.

Roofing tiles were flung to the floor by the strike (Image: Newsquest/Denise Bradley)

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She said electricity was still out in some homes in the area on Wednesday morning and explained that all of the homes in the row had to have their stability checked following the incident, which saw a live wire come loose in her loft.

Ms Gribben is worried her children will be scared of lightning for life.

Damage to Ms Gribben's neighbour's car (Image: Newsquest)

She added: "My seven-year-old son was crying and he wouldn't believe the lightning had gone afterwards.

"I am a bit worried for them for the next time it happens."