Astronomer Mike Wilmott has said that clues surrounding the big bang above Liskeard last week support the suggestion that it was caused by a meteorite.

As exclusively reported in the Cornish Times, Bernard and Christine Godfrey believe a meteorite damaged the roof of their home in Dean Terrace at the same time as the bang was heard.

Scorched roof trusses were found below a hole in the roof.

Mr Wilmott, of the Caradon Observatory, said a small meteorite could have come into the atmosphere and caused a loud noise.

‘Something like this would not have been tracked at the Caradon Observatory as, unlike meteor showers, which are seen in advance, an actual meteorite arrives from space with no warning at a speed of around 50 miles per second,’ said Mr Wilmott.

‘It is unlikely that the meteorite would be found.

‘In a high number of cases, because of incandescent heat and the speed of arrival, they vaporise on impact.

‘The surrounding structures would be singed and burned.

‘There have been precious few occurrences recorded of a meteorite hitting a building and travelling into the roofspace. If this is what happened, it is exciting.’

Debris from the impact will be examined by an expert from the observatory.