Darlington homeowners got a shock when a lightning strike ignited a small electrical fire in their house last night (Saturday, July 7). 

Firefighters were called out following a lightning strike on the property in Bowman Street at 11.30pm. 

The fire was out on their arrival and the house made it safe before they left. 

The lightning strike came at the height of a storm that swept through the region last night. 

The Northern Echo:

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said:  "We were called out to reports of a television cable that had caught fire after a house was struck by lightning at 11.27pm. 

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"We dispatched two appliances to the scene. The callers stated the neighbours could smell burning, so we went out to check. 

"We found it was a small electrical fire in a living room caused by the lightning strike. 

"The fire service made the scene safe."