A HOUSE on the Isle of Wight may have to be pulled down after being struck by a bolt of lightning.

The large semi-detached property was hit yesterday at 3.30pm and a fire started in its loft.

The blaze spread to the roof, which was 60 per cent destroyed, and also to the first floor of the house in Wootton Bridge near Ryde.

The blaze was tackled by 44 firefighters.