Tesco customers evacuated after ‘massive lightning strike destroys roof’ during freak storm
Video from the scene shows frantic crowds fleeing the building through fire exits
PANICKED shoppers have been evacuated from a Tesco store after reports it was struck by a massive lightning bolt.
Part of the roof is believed to have been destroyed at the shop in Boston, Lincs.
Amateur video taken at the scene shows crowds fleeing the building during the powerful freak storm.
Flashing lights from emergency vehicles could be seen as dozens of people were rescued.
Eyewitnesses have told of hearing a “massive crack” before severe flooding at the superstore on New Hammond Beck Road.
Shopper Stuart Wild, 47,told the : “We were just finishing our shopping, we got all our stuff on the conveyor belt.
“I heard a massive crack then water was gushing in.
“It was like a waterfall coming straight through the ceiling.”
He said staff opened all of the stores fire exits to evacuate customers.
“They just opened all the fire exits and hundreds of us left the store.”
Lucy Louise, whose family lives near the shop, said: “Roof just collapsed. My dad just drove to look.
“Fire engine outside. It’s closed. Traffic cones to stop anyone going near it.”
Another shopper told : “There is quite a lot of water down the aisles and the store is flooded.
“Also, there are lots of mops and brushes but they have been abandoned.
“Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews are in the store, walking around, but customers are being turned away and they aren’t letting anyone into the car park.”
Despite witness reports, Tesco have so far ruled out a lightning strike.
A spokesperson said heavy rainfall caused a drainage pipe to burst.
“There has been rainwater along the roof of the store and due to its volume, the pipe has overflown”, they said.
“The rainwater has come through the roof and onto the shop floor, so the store has been closed whilst that is the case.
“We are working to get the rainwater cleaned up and the store reopened as soon as possible.
“However, the roof has not collapsed and it does not appear that the store has been hit by lightning.”
The Met Office has a weather warning in place for the area saying that thundery showers would be persistent on Saturday.
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