A MAN has spoken of the shocking moment lightning set his building on fire, leaving residents homeless.

Jamie Lee Brewer, 23, of East Wichel Way, Wichelstowe, was enjoying a game of Grand Theft Auto on his PlayStation when two lightning bolts struck the supported housing block in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“I was on my PlayStation and my phone by the window at the time when I heard this big bang,” he said.

“I walked across the room and before I knew it there was this bright bolt of light. I felt it go through my body. For a couple of seconds I couldn’t see anything. It felt like being electrocuted.”

The first lightning bolt caused a chimney to shatter and shower bricks onto the pavement, the second set the roof on fire.

Panicked Jamie, who has learning difficulties, raced downstairs to alert his fellow residents before the building was evacuated.

“I wanted to check the other residents and get out of there as soon as I could. We were all shocked and really frightened and we got out of there as soon as we could,” he said.

“My heart was racing and we thought we were all okay when we got outside. Then I saw this orange glow on the roof and realised the building was on fire. I was terrified.”

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and British Red Cross volunteers were deployed to battle the blaze.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “We were called to a property in East Wichel Way at 1.40am on Saturday to reports of a roof fire.

“Two fire engines and the aerial appliance from Swindon fire station attended, and found the roof of a three storey block of flats was on fire.

“Six flats within the blocks had their electricity isolated for safety due to water damage, and representatives of the British Red Cross fire and emergency support service worked with Swindon Borough Council to rehome the occupants.”

South West Ambulance services were also in attendance and confirmed six people had required medical treatment for shock at the scene.

Jamie and eight fellow residents were placed in emergency accommodation by Swindon Borough Council.

Following an inspection, Ability Housing Association, which runs the complex, has declared the properties uninhabitable with no clear indication of when the affected will be able to return.

The association has informed residents of temporary accommodation and food arrangements for them.

An Ability Housing Association spokesman said: “At present we are unable to enter the premises to assess the full extent of the damage.

“Our housing team is now busy ensuring that the needs of residents can be met as well as seeking longer term re-housing options while remedial works are undertaken to restore the property to a safe habitable condition.”