Richard Branson's Caribbean home destroyed during tropical storm; Kate Winslet escapes fire

Virgin Management Ltd. via Reuters

Two people watch as a fire sweeps through Richard Branson's Caribbean holiday retreat on Monday, Aug. 22. The blaze in the Great House on Necker Island was caused by a lightning strike and the building was completely destroyed, the billionaire said on Monday. British Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet was among the guests who escaped unhurt from the fire along with her boyfriend, and family, and Branson's mother Eve.

Virgin Management Ltd. via Reuters

A fire sweeps through Richard Branson's Caribbean holiday retreat on Monday.

Virgin Management Ltd. via Reuters

A firefighter extinguishes the fire that swept through Richard Branson's Caribbean holiday retreat on Aug. 22.

AP reports:

LONDON — Guests including Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet escaped uninjured when fire destroyed Richard Branson's Caribbean home during a tropical storm Monday, said the British businessman.

The Virgin Group boss said about 20 people, including Winslet and her children, were staying in the eight-bedroom Great House on Necker, his private isle in the British Virgin Islands.

Branson said he was staying in another property around 100 yards (meters) away with his wife, Joan and son Sam, 25. Continue reading.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet saved the 90-year-old mother of billionaire Richard Branson from a house fire on Branson's private Caribbean island. NBC's Natalie Morales reports.