NECKER ISLAND, British Virgin Islands – Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet was among 20 guests who were forced to flee Virgin entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s opulent eight-bedroom home on his private Necker Island in the Caribbean last night.
It was hurricane “Irene” making its way through the Caribbean that caused the lightning strike, which Branson said “completely destroyed” his house including thousands of irreplaceable photos in the basement.
“We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90 mph,” Sir Richard said. “A big lightning storm came around 4 a.m. and hit the house.”
The Virgin entrepreneur, 61, his wife, Joan, and son, Sam, were staying in another property around 100 yards away from the house when the fire broke out.
Branson said it was his son Sam who rushed into the house to help get everyone out. “They are all safe and currently being accommodated elsewhere on the island,” Branson said.
The Necker Island house rents out at $53,000 a day which includes two private beaches, tennis courts, a personal chef, private pools with an array of water sports equipment and a team of 60 staff.
“It's very much the Dunkirk spirit here,” Branson said. “We want to rebuild the house as soon as we can. We have a wonderful staff here and we want them to stay in work.”
Video – Take a plane ride to Necker Island
Photos – Necker Island house fire
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