Firefighters were called to Thatcher Close, in the Southgate area of the town, in the early hours of Saturday (June 27) – after reports of a fire involving a property.
A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: "We were called at 4.17am to reports of a fire involving a property on Thatcher Close, Southgate, Crawley.
"Joint Fire Control mobilised four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform to the scene. Upon arrival firefighters found the roof of the property well alight and quickly got to work using high pressure hose reels and jets to extinguish the fire.
"Firefighters remained on scene damping down the roof space area and used a thermal imaging camera to ensure there were no further signs of fire, which is believed to have begun following a lightning strike.
"Fortunately there were no casualties as a result of this incident."
The fire came after thunderstorms and lightning swept across parts of Sussex overnight, bringing showers following several days of exceptionally hot weather.
Heavy showers moved through the county during the early hours of Saturday (June 27), as the prolonged hot spell began to ease, although forecasters say temperatures will remain very high and there is still a chance of further thundery showers later today.
Despite the overnight storms, an amber warning for extreme heat remains in force until 9pm, on Saturday. This affects most of Sussex and the whole of Surrey. Chichester is outside the amber warning area.
5. Lightning strike sparks house fire in Crawley
Firefighters were called to Thatcher Close, in the Southgate area of the town, in the early hours of Saturday (June 27) – after reports of a fire involving a property. Photo: Eddie Mitchell