A HUGE lightening strike tore a 10ft gaping hole through a house and has left a pregnant mum with £20k worth of damage.
Tara Craven, from Filey in was washing dishes when she heard a “bomb-like” explosion from upstairs.
A massive 6ft wide by 10ft hole in the roofCredit: SWNS
Tara Craven was terrified when she heard her young boys screamingCredit: SWNS
The conservatory was also smashed by the lightening strikeCredit: SWNS
The terrifying incident unfolded at her three-bed semi-detached Gristhorpe home at around 8pm on Wednesday.
The mum-of-two, 28, felt the whole shake as a strong fire smell filled the air.
Panic set in as Tara heard her boys, aged two and three, screaming from upstairs.
The tots were with their dad Joseph, 32, when the lightening bolt hit and the family fled outside.
Shocking photographs reveal the extent of damage, from a massive 6ft wide by 10ft hole in the roof to a smashed conservatory.
Meanwhile, several electrical sockets inside have been blown out and doors ripped off the hinges.
Their TV even also exploded and the living room carpet was scorched.
The family were stunned to find bricks had flown up to 30 feet away due to such intense force.
Heavily pregnant Tara, who is just weeks from giving birth, said: “My husband was just upstairs bathing the kids, I was downstairs washing the dishes from dinner and out of nowhere there was this massive bang.
“It was like a bomb had gone off, the whole house shook, and light bulbs exploded, so it went pitch black.
“Outside all of the car alarms were going off and the house began filling with dust and a strong, electrical burning smell just filled the air.
“We had no idea what had happened – other than it came as a huge shock, it was terrifying.
“I shouted for my husband and we rushed outside with our dog thinking the house was on fire.”
She added: “We called the fire brigade who were very helpful.
The blast blew out electrical socketsCredit: SWNS
The roof was left with gaping holesCredit: SWNS
The couple estimate around £20,000 worth of damage was causedCredit: SWNS
“It had hit the chimney, causing it to explode and ripped part of the roof off.
“That night we stayed inside my children’s bedroom and the next morning we check out the damage.”
The family has moved into a Travelodge in a neighbouring town but it’s less than practical with two young boys and a baby on the way.
Tara claimed the insurance company is still investigating whether the blast released asbestos.
The couple have set up a Go Fund Me to raise money to help pay for repairs.
Tara said: “At least no one was hurt or worse, so we have to count our blessings.
“We don’t know when we will be able to move back in, which is frustrating.”
A Spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews from Scarborough and Filey responded to a report of a telegraph pole that had been struck by lightning resulting in a power surge that affected a number of properties causing electrical sockets to blow and a loss of power.
“Crews carried out house to house checks for signs of fire and giving advice to residents.
“The incident was left with electricity board engineers.”
Northern PowerGrid have been approached for a comment.
The family are in a Travelodge as temporary accommodationCredit: SWNS
Doors were blown off the hingesCredit: SWNS
The couple have set up a Go Fund Me to raise money to help pay for repairsCredit: SWNS
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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