Brentford Free Church got a bolt from the heavens on Monday afternoon, causing more than £50,000 of damage.

The freak thunder-storm and torrential rain had Hounslow residents running for cover, and fire crews were called to the church in Boston Manor Road after neighbours raised the alarm at 3.30pm.

Firefighters were quickly on the scene to extinguish the fire caused by the lightning strike.

Reverend David Beazley, said: "If it wasn't for the lightning conductor, it could have been devastating. The conductor took most of the power away, but the fire brigade were absolutely brilliant and put down a tarpaulin to reduce the water damage and confine the fire to the roof.

"It's a bit sad but it could have been hugely worse and there were no injuries.

"There were two ladies in the building at the time. They weren't hurt but they did feel the shock. The blast knocked out the computers but they had no idea the roof had been hit."

The roof must now be replaced along with the joists, at huge costs.

Cloud-to-ground lightning bolts are a common phenomenon and about 100 strike Earth's surface every single second with devastating power. Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity.

Contrary to the common expression, lightning can strike the same place twice, especially tall buildings or exposed mountain tops.

Rev Beazley said: "We are so grateful no one was hurt and it wasn't worse. The fire crews deserve a lot of praise. They are incredibly good at their job and crews as far away as Sutton and Paddington came as back up."