A LIGHTNING strike on a Co Down house left the roof badly damaged and caused sockets to catch fire.
Gareth McGreevy, who lives between Ballynahinch and Crossgar, said his family home was damaged by lightning during Tuesday night's severe weather.
He described the impact of the lightning as "like a bomb exploding - never experienced the likes of it".
Mr McGreevy said the strike made several holes in the house's roof, caused sockets to go on fire and objects to "jump off walls".
He said he was watching the Rose of Tralee at home when the lightning struck at around 11.30pm on Tuesday.
"The telephone for the electronic gates flew off the wall and hit my father on the head," he said. "Then there was a smell of burning. We went into the hallway and the telephone socket was on fire."
He said lightning struck the house, came through the roof and caused serious damage to one side of the building.
"It was quite a surreal experience and one which I suppose was a freak of nature," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback.
He added: "Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were absolutely amazing".
"I want to thank them for that. They sent two engines out along with 12 personnel who secured the property."
Meanwhile, a woman from Katesbridge, Co Down, said she and her family were fortunate to escape injury after a lighting strike blew a hole in her roof.
Brenda Higgins, who has sons aged five, 13, 16 and 19, told the News Letter the lightning caused a fire and blew plugs out of the walls.
She said there is now a large hole in the roof of her eldest son's bedroom.
"It was a terrifying experience, especially with young children in the house," she said.
