Lightning strikes building in Velez-Malaga during heavy storms on Costa del Sol

A BOLT of lightning struck a rooftop in Velez-Malaga during an electrical storm yesterday.

The noise was so loud that people living in the area thought there had been a bomb explosion.

The incident occurred around 5.15pm yesterday when lightning struck the roof of a four-storey building in calle del Rio and entered the penthouse apartment via a television aerial. No-one was hurt fortunately, but serious damage was caused to various electrical appliances, including his television, and burning a hole in the the ceiling. Some of the debris fell into the road below.

The owner of the flat, Jose Luis Garcia, was inside when the lightning struck working at his computer.

He said he heard a loud noise and afterwards he noticed the smell of burning. He ran out into the street and contacted the fire service who immediately sent two fire appliances to the scene.

The mayor, Francisco Delgado Bonilla, said that everyone in the area had suffered a great shock and were all nervous but praised the quick action of the Local police and fire service.

Council technicians and the fire brigade have carried out a temporary repair to the building which is still structurally sound despite the impact.

It rained heavily all day yesterday in the Axarquía district of the province of Malaga, and thunder and lightning came directly overhead in the town of Velez-Malaga.