A FAMILY’S recently renovated home was destroyed by fire after lightning hit the chimney.

Julie Shepherd, her partner Paul Thompson and their five- year-old son, Lee, were in bed when they heard the terrifying bang as the bolt hit the house.

Their ordeal came as violent thunderstorms raged across Merseyside during the early hours of yesterday morning.

Mr Thompson said: "When the torrential rain started, I was concerned about flooding, as the house was just nearing the end of our renovations. “Suddenly we heard lightning strike nearby.

"The next thing I knew, there was a horrendous bang and the lights went out. I ran to get Lee out of bed. As we were on the stairs, I noticed the mattress in the spare room was on fire.

"I thought about trying to put it out but realised their safety came first. I ran across the road and woke up a neighbour, this was at 3am, and he called the fire brigade.

"I went back into the house and tried to put the fire out by throwing the mattress out of the window, but it was too fierce.

"The fire spread at an extreme rate.

"The house is wrecked. We haven't been back inside today as parts of it are unsafe, but I think we are bracing ourselves and preparing for the reality that we may have lost everything.