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Sydney storms: Terrifying moment Penrith home destroyed by lightning

A home in Sydney's west has been destroyed by a suspected lightning strike, as storms continue to lash the region.

On Monday at around 5.30pm Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) were called to a home on Kobina Avenue in Glenmore Park, near Penrith.

The blaze took hold of the home's roof, FRNSW said in a statement and crews assisted by the Rural Fire Service worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring homes.

Firefighters at the scene of a home hit by lightning during the Sydney storms.
A home in Sydney's west was destroyed after a suspected lightning strike during the Sydney storms on Monday. Source: 9News/FRNSW

While the flames were contained quickly, crews were unable to save the home.

FRNSW said initial reports indicated the fire started when the home was struck by lightning, as thunderstorms lashed NSW on Monday.

Nine News obtained dashcam footage of the moment lightning struck the Glenmore Park home.

Acting Superintendent Mathew Sigmund said calling Triple 000 for a fire emergency can be the difference between life and death, or a building being saved or destroyed.

"The Triple 000 service is the quickest way to get the right resources from emergency services to help you," FRNSW said.

"It should be used to contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services in life-threatening or time-critical situations."

Firefighters extinguish a fire from a lightning strike on a home at Glenmore Park. Source: FRNSW
The home at Glenmore Park was completely destroyed by the fire, despite crews working quickly to extinguish it. Source: FRNSW

Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in place

The Bureau of Meteorology still has an active severe thunderstorm warning in place for Sydney and parts of the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts.

"A surface and upper trough are combining with a humid airmass to produce slow moving thunderstorms across inland parts of the state," the BoM said.

"A coastal trough along the Sydney and Illawarra coast is also supporting intense thunderstorm activity."

It is likely the storms will produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding, in several areas across the state, including Sydney.

Just after 11am on Tuesday, the BoM said severe thunderstorms across northwestern and western Sydney were detected on the radar.

Bankstown in Sydney's west has received 47mm of rain since 9am and in just 45 minutes, Wyong on the NSW Central Coast recorded 80mm of rain in just 45 minutes.

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