News Americas, ROAD TOWN, BVI, Mon. Aug. 22, 2011: British actress Kate Winslet is among 20 people lucky to be alive after a fire believed to be triggered by lightening from Tropical Storm Irene, destroyed the Great House on Necker Island, where they were staying.
Fire reportedly broke out early this morning at the home on the island, owned by Sir Richard Branson, following a lightning strike at 4 a.m. today, August 22nd.
The Virgin Group boss, who was staying at a nearby property with his wife Joan and son Sam, 25, at the time, said the fire had “completely destroyed” the building. Sir Richard’s 90-year-old mother Eve and his 29-year-old daughter Holly were also staying at the property, named the Great House, when the blaze broke out in the early hours of Monday.
He said Winslet had helped to carry his mother to safety. Winslet, 35, was staying at the house with her daughter Mia, 10, and her son Joe, seven.
“My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs and my note books which is very sad. But all family and friends are well – which in the end is all that really matters,” Branson said.
But he added: “We will rebuild the house as soon as we can.There’s a lot of damage but we’ll create something even more special out of the ruins.”
Sir Richard, 60, bought Necker Island in the early 1980s and began building the eight-bedroom Great House in 1982.
