(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Kate Winslet is "so glad" that everyone is safe after escaping a fire which tore through the Caribbean home of Sir Richard Branson.

The 35-year-old British actress and her children had been holidaying at The Great House on the business mogul's Necker Island. The private isle is situated in the British Virgin Islands.

Around 20 people were staying in the house, including Richard's 90-year-old mother, Eve, and his daughter Holly.

Lightning struck the multi-million-pound mansion in the early hours of Monday during a tropical hurricane.

Kate has spoken of her relief following the fire that blazed through the eight-bedroom property.

"I'm just so glad that everyone is safe. And this very easily could not have been the case," she explained.

"I will never forget Richard placing his arms around both my children as we were there watching the flames, and saying, 'At the end of the day, what you realise is that all that matters is the people you love. Everything else is just stuff. And none of that stuff really matters.'"

The Oscar-winning actress helped to carry Richard's elderly mother from the flames.

Kate was at the property with 10-year-old daughter Mia and her seven-year-old son Joe.

Richard was staying in another house around 100 meters away with his wife, Joan and son, Sam.

His daughter Holly Branson was planning on tying the knot on the island at the end of the year. Despite the recent trouble, Richard has insisted the event will still go ahead. (C) Cover Media