LAST night's ferocious lightning storm sparked a fire in the roof of a Winton student house.

Firefighters were called to the property on Wycliffe Road at 11.52pm following reports that the roof was well alight.

More crews were quickly called for backup as it was understood that the occupants, three female Bournemouth University students, could still be within the house.

Assisted by officers from Dorset Police, the crews smashed through the French windows at the rear of the property and carried out a search wearing breathing apparatus.

It was quickly determined nobody was in the house and the firefighters set about extinguishing the blaze.

The house’s owner, Greg Smith, said he received a call from his neighbour telling him the house was on fire shortly after midnight.

“Luckily the three girls who live here were out celebrating their graduation,” he said. “I had to phone them to let them know it wasn’t safe for them to stay.”

He added that his tenants had stayed with friends last night and the house may not be habitable for some time.

“I think the whole roof is going to have to be replaced,” he said. “It’s so unlucky – we only finished renovating the place in August last year.”

The lightning strike has left a hole in the roof and the fire resulted in severe damage to the loft space.