Tesco ceiling COLLAPSES as thunderstorm strikes sending shoppers fleeing
HUNDREDS of shoppers have been evacuated from a busy Tesco after the ceiling collapsed during a massive thunderstorm.
Boston Tesco's roof collapses after being 'struck by lightning'
Shoppers fled from Tesco in Boston, Lincolnshire as thunder and lightning battered the town.
The supermarket on New Hammond Beck Road has been evacuated.
Shoppers were seen running from the building and trying to shelter from the rain.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing “a massive crack” as water poured through the ceiling.
Hundreds of shoppers were evacuated from Tesco
Water gushed from the ceiling as a thunderstorm battered the building
I heard a massive crack then water was gushing in. It was like a waterfall coming straight through the ceiling
Stuart Wild told the Lincolnshire Echo: "We were just finishing our shopping, we got all our stuff on the conveyor belt.
"I heard a massive crack then water was gushing in.
"It was like a waterfall coming straight through the ceiling.
"They just opened all the fire exits and hundreds of us left the store."
Roof collapses in Tesco after massive thunderstorm
The force of the water caused the ceiling to collapse
Emergency services have been called to Tesco
A Met Office yellow weather warning is in place for heavy rain in the region.
Lucy Louise said: “Roof just collapsed. My family live on Tesco road and say the rain has been torrential over there. My dad just drove to look - fire engine outside, it's closed, traffic cones to stop anyone going near it."
Emergency services have been called to the scene as eyewitnesses claimed drains and pipes around the supermarket have overflowed.
The supermarket has been closed and cars are being turned away as they arrive.
Anglian Water tweeted: "We're currently receiving a high volume of calls due to heavy rainfall across our area."
@chriscook21 @atwigg84 tesco in Boston been hit by lightning. Roof collapsed!!! #iscookytheirengineer?
— Dave Panton (@davepan7on) August 27, 2016
A spokesman for Tesco said: “There has been rainwater along the roof of the store and due to its volume, the pipe has overflown.
“The rainwater has come through the roof and onto the shop floor, so the store has been closed whilst that is the case.
“We are working to get the rainwater cleaned up and the store reopened as soon as possible.
“However, the roof has not collapsed and it does not appear that the store has been hit by lightning.”