LIGHTNING storms struck several homes across Reading and Woodley and last night, with firefighters battling to keep the blazes at bay.

Appliances were stretched all night, with crews estimating more than 10 houses to have caught fire.

Crews from Wokingham Road, Whitley Wood and Caversham Road attended a fire to the first floor of a building in Cholmeley Road, east Reading, at about 11pm.

They battled for two hours, using hose reels and breathing apparatus to fight the flames.

All three crews were then called to a a property in Beechwood Avenue, Woodley, where a room used for heating a swimming pool caught fire.

The crews were called there at about 1.30am, where the fire had spread to the back of the owner's home. They spent two hours at the scene.

Firefighters from Dee Road, Caversham and Whitley Wood were also called to a property in Rushmoor Gardens, Calcot, at about 4.45am.

An item in the attic caught fire, causing crews to battle for two and half hours against the flames, using six breathing apparatus and two hose reels. An aerial ladder from Basingstoke was also used.

The strike also caused the water tank to split, with part of the house also suffering water damage. The owners smelt smoke and managed to get out safely before the firefighters arrived.

Steve Whiteside, watch manager for Caversham Road, said: "It was crazy all night, we were constantly busy. There was just one thing after another and we were just glad no-one was hurt at any of the incidents."