A LIGHTNING strike during the horrendous weather wrought by Storm Dudley sparked a house fire. 

Firefighters were scrambled to the scene, on Norwood Green Hill, Norwood Green, at around 8pm last night. 

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the lightning strike hit a telegraph pole and sent a surge down the wire, creating a power surge which ignited a WiFi router.

"They [the occupants] noticed there was a bang, they heard the surge," said the spokesman.

"The fire was confined to a bedroom. It was the router for the WiFi involved in the fire, caused by the lightning strike."

He said it was "full of smoke" and firefighters used two breathing apparatus sets, a hose reel and a fan at the scene. 

The gas supply had to be isolated and electricity and telecomms workers also had to be called out.

Firefighters from Cleckheaton, Rastrick and Halifax left the scene at around 9.15pm.