Kate Winslet Escapes Fire at Richard Branson's Home

Kate Winslet was one of 20 people who escaped unharmed from a fire that has destroyed Richard Branson's home on the Necker Island in the Caribbean.

The British actress and her two children were among a large group including Branson's 90-year-old mother and his daughter holly that were staying at the Property named Great house, located on the billionaire's private island.

A blaze broke out during the early hours of Monday after lighting hit the house during a tropical storm.

We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph, said Branson, who was staying at a nearby property with his wife Joan and son Sam, 25, at the time.

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, he said

According to the BBC the main house on the Island is completely destroyed including Branson's office where he stored thousands of photographs.

Branson, 60, bought Necker Island in the early 1980's and begun building the eight bedroom Great House in 1982. The house was expected to be the venue for the marriage of Branson's daughter Holly and shipbroker Freddie Andrews later this year.