People News

Richard Branson's Island home incinerated by lightening, Winslet family flees

By April MacIntyre Aug 22, 2011, 19:01 GMT

07/04/2011 - Richard Branson and Holly Branson - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos

Actress Kate Winslet and her two children ran for their life last night after a lightening storm sparked a raging fire on Richard Branson's private island home.

Branson's Great House on Necker island in the British Virgin Islands was a spot where many celebrities over the years had come to stay as guests of the British billionaire.

CNN reported that the Oscar-winning actress, Branson's mother and his daughter, Holly, were staying in the eight-bedroom Great House.

Branson reportedly was lodged nearby, with his wife and 25-year-old son Sam.

"We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90 miles per hour. A big lightning storm came around 4 a.m. and hit the house," Branson said Monday in a statement.

"My son Sam rushed to the house and helped get everyone out."

"We want to rebuild the house as soon as we can," Branson said. "We have a wonderful staff here and we want them to stay in work. We'll all stay here for the time being. There's a lot of damage and we won't be able to stick it back together again right away."