Kate Winslet, who drifted to fame in "Titanic," escaped a nasty fire early Monday morning at Richard Branson's Caribbean home.
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 away with his wife, Joan, and son Sam, 25.
He said the fire broke out around 4 a.m. during a wind and lightning storm, and Sam Branson managed to help evacuate Winslet and other guests from the house.
Richard Branson said the guests, including his 90-year-old mother and his daughter Holly, 29, managed to get out safely.
Winslet's current companion is British model Louis Dowler. She is separated from second husband Sam Mendes, father of her son, Joe, 7.
Winslet's spokeswoman, Sara Keene, confirmed the actress was unharmed.
Branson said the house was "completely destroyed" and the fire was not entirely out Monday.
"My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs, which is very sad," Branson said.
Virgin said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but lightning was the likely culprit.
People magazine breathlessly adds that Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo were married last month just steps from the Branson house.
Branson, 61, bought the island in the early 1980s and began building the Great House in 1982. He also has developed an exclusive eco-resort on the island showcasing renewable energy technology.
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