Tuesday, 23 August 2011

• Prev
• Next

Kate Winslet escapes Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean house as it burns down in lightning fire

Virgin boss's Great House hit at 4am

Kate Winslet is on holiday with her family

Sir Richard Branson is in shock after watching his luxurious £6million Caribbean mansion on the island of Necker burn to the ground.

The business tycoon, who was staying nearby with his wife Joan and son Sam, could do nothing to stop his 14-bedroom home being destroyed after being hit by a lightning strike during a hurricane.

Guest Kate Winslet, 35 - who helped carry the Virgin boss's 90-year-old mum Eve from the Great House - escaped uninjured from the flames with daughter Mia, 10, and son Joe, 7.

‘Everyone got out OK - that's the main thing,' says Sir Richard, 61.

‘My son Sam and nephew Jack did a great job and many thanks to Kate Winslet for helping to carry my mum out.

‘Everyone is currently just huddled up with family and friends, realising what really matters in life.'

Sir Richard bought the island of Necker in the 1970s and built the Great House in 1982.

‘It's very much the Dunkirk spirit here,' he tells the Daily Mirror.

‘We want to rebuild the house as soon as we can.

‘I'm sure we'll create something even more special out of the ruins.'

SEE PICTURES Kate Winslet's life and loves>>

SEE PICTURES Celebrity splits 2010>>

SEE PICTURES Celebrity break-ups 2009>>