Kate Winslet Escapes Huge Fire At Sir Richard Branson's House

Titanic star Kate Winslet and her children were forced to flee Sir Richard Branson's house after a fire broke out in the middle of the night.

Sir Branson's Carribean home on Necker Island is said to have been set on fire after being hit by a lightning storm.

The actress and her two children Mia,10, and Joe,7, were amongst 20 other guests who fleed the burning house last night.

The Chairman of the Virgin Group, who was staying in another one of his properties with his wife Joan and son Sam, said:

"Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine."

"We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house," he added.

Sir Branson's house is said to have been completely destroyed by the fire. The 60-year-old business tycoon had built the 8 bedroom estate in 1982, after buying Necker Island. His 90-year-old mother, Eve, and 29-year-old daughter, Holly, also escaped the house unharmed.

"My son Sam rushed to the house and helped get everyone out. Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and her family were there and Holly and some of her friends were also staying. My mother was there and they managed to get her out and she is fine".

"The main house is completely destroyed and the fire is not yet completely out. My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs which is very sad."

Kate Winslet will next be seen on screen in Steven Soderbergh's Contagion alongside Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Contagion will be released October 21.

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