The roof of a home in Epsom was burnt through by a sudden house fire yesterday that was caused by a lightning strike. 

Images and video taken at the scene of the blaze on Sherwood Way in Epsom showed a heavy emergency services presence and the destruction caused by the fire, which broke out during a thunder storm around 4pm on Tuesday (May 18). 

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Surrey Police coordinated a response that included road closures in the area as fire crews battled to contain the fire. 

Updating the public on the situation after 6pm on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for SFRS said: 

"Sherwood Way, #Epsom fire: 8 fire engines, an aerial ladder platform and an incident command unit are still in attendance.

"This fire is now under control, but please continue to avoid the area. Thank you to all colleagues and partners @LondonFire." 

Eye-witnesses in the area reported a large bang in the moments before the fire broke out, and some suggested a lightning strike was the cause. 

That theory was confirmed by SFRS on Wednesday (May 19), who tweeted: 

"The fire was caused by a lightning strike and was in the roof of three properties. Crews have left the scene, they used 12 sets of breathing apparatus, 3 hose reels, 2 jets, 3 triple extension ladders, 3 thermal imaging cameras & a turntable ladder."

Epsom and Ewell Police previously confirmed their attendance meanwhile, saying they had assisted with road closures and suggesting no-one had been injured in the blaze. 

"We are currently assisting our emergency services colleagues with a house fire in Sherwood Way, #Epsom.

"We were called around 4pm today and are assisting with road closures. There is not believed to be anyone injured at this time, further updates to follow," a spokesperson tweeted Tuesday evening.