A building was struck by lightning in the early hours.

Firefighters from Swanage were called to a block of flats in Taunton Road in the town at 12.38am this morning.

Residents noticed a burning smell in the communal areas as fire alarms rang out.

Damage to the roof was found following an internal and external inspection by firefighters.

There was no sign of a fire and the stop call, meaning the incident is under control and no further resources are required, came at 1.49am.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to a block of flats in Taunton Road, Swanage at 12.38am this morning as the fire alarms were sounding and there was a smell of burning in the communal areas.

“One crew from Swanage attended and carried out a full inspection, both internal and external, of the premises. There was damage to the roof, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike, but no sign of fire so our stop was at 1.49am.”