A FATHER has told how a lightning strike hit his home and caused serious damage to the chimney and roof while his wife and kids were inside.

Jude Jackson, 37, was at work but his wife Sara, 37, and their two young children Minerva, aged two, and eight-month-old Constance were at their home in Acaster Malbis when lightning struck the house at around 8am today.

Sara and the kids were in a bedroom upstairs at the time.

Jude said Sara heard an "explosion" and went outside and saw a large section of the chimney had been demolished, and lots of roof tiles had been blown into the garden and street.

He said: "My wife was very shocked. She didn't know what it was at the time.

"We're very blessed nobody was injured. The community have all pulled together and offered to help us."

Fire crews were called to the house and have been assessing the damage and making sure the tiles still on the roof are safe.

The family are waiting to find out if they can go back into their home.

Jude said the chimney on his neighbour's house has also been damaged.