George and Theresa Penfold’s front doorbell was struck by lightning on Wednesday morning, startling the Cobourg couple. (PETE FISHER/Sun Media)

COBOURG - George and Theresa Penfold got the shock of their lives when Mother Nature came knocking at their door yesterday.

The Penfolds were still in bed when a lightning bolt rang their doorbell at 7 a.m.

George was awake in bed but Theresa was still sleeping.

“All of a sudden it hit and the flash (and thunder) made such a noise,” said Theresa. “I flew out of bed because I was asleep.”

As the elderly couple rushed from their bedroom, they could smell smoke.

“I figured (the house) was hit, but was afraid to look outside,” said Theresa.

The lightning strike blew a half-inch hole in the metal at the top of the front door and travelled down to the doorbell.

With power out in part of the house, the phones not working, coupled with the lightning storm still raging, the Penfolds had another problem.

How to contact emergency services?

With the smell of smoke still lingering, she went next door to use her neighbours’ phone to call the fire department.

When crews arrived, there was no fire - just a shaken couple.

Theresa said she is “scared skinny” of lightning and always has been.