A NEWSOME pensioner's home was hit by a thunderbolt!
Retired nurse Florence Wimpenny's Close Hill Home was struck by the bolt at about 4pm yesterday.
Mrs Wimpenny, 82, said: "It had been rumbling for a while and I was sitting on the settee reading the Examiner when there was a huge crack up in the heavens and a spark flew out of the switch across the room towards an open door."
The worried pensioner rang the fire service who sent out a crew to check the house was safe.
Mrs Wimpenny added: "I spoke to my neighbour and he said he had practically been thrown off his feet.
"Now I need the house re-wiring, but luckily my grandson is an electrician.
"It was big surprise that something like this could happen."