LIGHTNING struck a row of terrace houses in London Colney this afternoon, sending the roofs into flames.

The incident happened in Telford Road at around 1.15pm and scores of firefighters attended the scene to try and quell the fire which had torn through four of the houses.

Three of the homes were badly damaged by the fire and another two suffered smoke damage.

One onlooker said that it took just ten minutes for the roofs to go up.

Nobody was hurt in the incident which was attended by crews from St Albans, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Borehamwood, Watford, Garston and retained crews. The aerial ladder platform and the control unit from Hertford attended the scene.

16 firefighters in breathing apparatus used five jets and three hose reels to bring the blaze under control.