THUNDER and lightning last week may have made for a spectacular nighttime storm but for some over the years there has been a major cost to such events.
And 48 years to the day the Worcester Evening News reported on one incident in Worcestershire in the June 1, 1978, edition.
The Worcester Evening News front page of June 1, 1978 (Image: Newsquest)
More: Remembering 1970s youth centre that helped and entertained hundreds of Worcester kids
The story follows:
Worcestershire villagers rushed to the rescue of a local family last night when their home was struck by lightning and severely damaged by fire.
People poured out of the village’s two pubs to rush into the burning house, trying to salvage furniture and other possessions.
The Fox family, of Chestnut Lane, Inkberrow, all escaped unharmed from the blaze which destroyed the upper floor of their luxury detached home.
The freak storm, which hit the house roof, had put all telephones in the lane out of order.
Neighbours rushed to the village police station to alert the fire brigade which sent three engines to tackle the blaze.
Brenda Fox was sitting in the living room with her 80-year-old mother-in-law Henrietta Fox, her 17-year-old son Andrew and his girlfriend.
The group heard what they thought was an explosion and sparks flew out beneath the curtains.
Brenda Fox said: “There was a terrific crash.
“The sparks flew across the lounge.
“My husband Geoffrey was upstairs and he called down to see what had happened.
“He said he could smell smoke and we looked around the electrical plugs upstairs but everything seemed all right.
“He went outside to check and saw smoke pouring from the roof.
“Within 20 minutes the whole upstairs was ablaze.”
Offers of accommodation, storage and help have been pouring in from local people since the incident last night.
The family split up and stayed with other residents in the lane overnight.
They hope to be able to rent other accommodation until the damage is repaired.
Mr Fox, sales director with Bromsgrove brush firm RG Harris and Co, co-ordinated the attempt to rescue some of the family’s possessions.
Villagers rushed in among the smoke and carried out bundles of clothes and furniture.
Barbara Clark, who has been looking after Mr Fox’s mother since the fire, said: “People were just grabbing things and rushing out.
“Someone even brought bottles of milk along to make tea for the firemen and helpers.”
It is understood that one resident claims to have seen a fireball hit the roof.
Meanwhile, the gates were closed for the last time at a Worcester tannery.
James Roberts and Son (Worcester), of Vincent Road, called it a day after increased trading losses and more stringent effluent regulations had made the tannery uneconomical.
The entire workforce of 88 was made redundant.
Eventful life of Reverend Ivan
THE Reverend Ivan Hulbard in the garden of his home in Camp Hill Road, Worcester.
The Rev Hulbard had just retired from full-time ministry after serving at Old Swinford and Fairfield, Bretforton and Hindlip and Martin Hussingtree.
He was also a Special Constable for the police, going out on patrol and working in the operations room, and involved in World War II with the Army.
The Reverend Ivan Hulbard in the garden of his home in Camp Hill Road, Worcester (Image: Newsquest)
Bits and pieces prizewinner
A WORCESTERSHIRE girl has won an art competition with a few egg shells, a bit of cloth and sacking, some paper and strips of leather.
With these unlikely materials she created the ‘Siege of Quebec’ and won a portable colour television.
Fifteen-year-old Juliet Betterton, of Catshill, Bromsgrove, is hoping to go to art college and her favourite artist is landscape painter John Constable.
Juliet Betterton with the artwork (Image: Newsquest)
Youth hit back after complaints
THE West Side Wanderers, pictured outside the YMCA in Worcester’s Henwick Road, said the council had ignored a petition from 200 young people calling for a place to go.
It followed complaints from residents in Oldbury Road, St John’s, over it being a “noisy no-go area” near the playing field but the young group replied by saying they were getting the thin end of the wedge.
The West Side Wanderers outside the YMCA in Worcester’s Henwick Road (Image: Newsquest)
Practice is making perfect
A COMBINED orchestra of children from the Broadwas area and Essex are put through their paces during a rehearsal for an evening of prayers, songs, hymns and musical items held in the church.
Meanwhile, Worcester city architect George Arnold triumphantly returned from London with a certificate of special commendation awarded to Worcester for the historic Commandery showpiece through the British Tourist Authority’s Come to Britain trophy.
A combined orchestra of children from the Broadwas area and Essex are put through their paces during a rehearsal for an evening of prayers, songs, hymns and musical items held in the church (Image: Newsquest)
The first player of the month
THE first winner of the Worcestershire Country Cricket Club Supporters Association’s player of the month award was crowned.
Worcestershire ace Philip Neale (right) was presented with a £50 cheque by association chairman Ken Mills (left).
Alongside them are Bob Brookes, association treasurer, and Roy Booth, chairman of the cricket committee.
Worcestershire ace Philip Neale (right) was presented with a £50 cheque by association chairman Ken Mills (left). Alongside them are Bob Brookes, association treasurer, and Roy Booth, chairman of the cricket committee (Image: Newsquest)
Charles reaches quarter-finals
LESLEY Charles, Worcester’s Wightman Cup international playing in her first tennis tournament since last November after a serious back operation, could meet former Wimbledon champion Evonne Cawley in the quarter-finals of the Surrey Grass Court Championships at Surbiton.
Charles reached the last eight with a 7-6, 7-6 victory over Judy Dalton.
Tennis player Lesley Charles (Image: Newsquest)
