Lightning hits while couple is watching TV: Fermette destroyed in Tournai

The local emergency services were called around 1.46 hours on Saturday morning for a fire in a Fermette on the Chaussee d’Audenarde in the district of Hérinnes.

The fire started in the central part of an old, U-shaped farm. The house was inhabited by a couple of in thirty. « The couple was watching television on the ground floor of the main building when they heard a loud bang and then noticed a smoke scent. They realized that the lightning had taken on the roof, which had caught fire, » said Lieutenant Luc Vandendorpe.

The two residents remained unharmed and the fire brigade evacuated two horses from a part of the farm to nearby meadows. « There were black spots on the chimney. The lightning then spread to the electricity installation, » says Vandendorpe.

The roof and the central part of the building were destroyed by the flames. The other two side wings of the farm suffered great damage due to water and smoke. The house has been declared uninhabitable. The affected couple has temporarily found shelter with family.

The fire brigade remained on site until 4.30 a.m.