Williams HQ hit by lightning (From The Oxford Times)

9:30am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Wantage

THE Williams F1 headquarters in Grove was hit by lightning over the weekend, causing a power surge to trigger its fire alarms.

The main building was struck on Saturday afternoon and sent a surge of electricity through the site’s sub-stations.

A source said the lightning strike had caused minimal damage.

The building was struck during the same storm that damaged a Grade II-listed building in Fawler.

Fawler Manor, near Wantage, was badly damaged after being hit by lightning.

More than 80 firefighters battled a blaze after it broke out at the 16th century property shortly before 3.30pm.

Part of the building’s roof was destroyed, but neighbours helped save the family’s belongings.

No-one was hurt in the fire.

A section of road was closed during the blaze.

The Met Office said Oxfordshire experienced approximately 50 lightning strikes on Saturday.

Despite rain yesterday, the forecaster said the risk of rain would reduce as the week went on.

Tomorrow and Thursday look to be dry days in the main, with a chance of a short-lived shower during the day.

Wantage RSS Feed