A POOLE family thankful to be alive after a freak lightning strike destroyed their home was picking up the pieces yesterday.

Julie Day and her three daughters Jodie, 16, Shannon, 12 and Megan, nine, miraculously escaped unharmed after their home in Guest Road, Upton, was blown apart by the bolt just after midday on Monday.

The two eldest girls were in the back bedroom just seconds before the lightning stuck.

By chance, they had gone on to the landing to tell their mum the storm set the family car alarm off.

All three children and Mrs Day escaped. Jodie sustained only minor cuts and bruising to her leg from falling debris.

Their father, Peter, a production manager, raced back from work and found his home a shell - the roof was gone and the upper floor gutted.

"The main thing is my family," he said. "The rest just isn't important."

Among the blackened rooms there are glimpses of life - pink sheets are still visible on a burnt bed, a shoe and a handbag peep out among the debris.

A charred wedding photograph is among the more heartbreaking items pulled from the destruction.

The family has lost a lifetime of memories and mementoes, said Mr Day.

"All the family albums were in the loft. Pictures from when the girls were babies, every birthday, every time they won a school certificate. It's irreplaceable."

He added: "All the bedroom furniture is gone, all the girls' clothes have melted down to nothing. We had to go to Tesco last night to get them something to wear."

On Monday night neighbours took them in but Mr Day must now find a place for his family to live. His insurers have told him the house will have to be completely rebuilt.

The community is already rallying round. Paul Howieson, head teacher at Upton Junior School, has offered new uniform to Megan.

And the school is holding a non-uniform day on Friday to raise money for the Days and their neighbour Tina Dennis, the school's caretaker, whose home was also badly damaged in the strike.

Mr Day added: "We've only lived here for 18 months, but everyone has been brilliant."