Reader Richard Mansell captured these blazing lightning shots during a stormy night.
Essex was hit by electrical storms in the early hours of Saturday.
In Braintree, devastation was caused when a lightning bolt struck a three-storey house starting a fire in the roof.
Six people had to be evacuated. Fortunately, no-one was injured.
*Send your pictures of lightning in the Maldon district to mbsdistrict@nqe.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here