Lightning strike hits Bolton house 'melting' the curtains A lightning bolt hit a house in Bolton, blowing a hole in the roof before it travelled down the chimney, exploded in the fireplace and "melted" the curtains. Margaret Hart, 70, and her husband had to stay with a neighbour after the strike destroyed the fuse box and blew light switches off the walls. Repairs are being carried out to the house in the Breightmet area.