Branson’s Caribbean hideaway destroyed by fire
Sir Richard Branson's luxury home in the Caribbean has been destroyed by fire after a lightning strike.
Twenty people, including Sir Richard’s 90-year-old mother, were in the house at the time. All escaped unhurt.
British actress Kate Winslet was among those staying on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands when a tropical storm broke out.
The BBC reported that the Virgin Group boss, who was staying at a nearby property, said the blaze 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.
"We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph [145km/h]," said Sir Richard, who was staying at a nearby property with his wife Joan and son Sam, 25, at the time.
"A big lightning storm came around 04:00 and hit the house.”
Ian Jarrett
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