This is the moment a motorist’s dash-cam films a huge streak of lightning zapping the earth and producing a small fireball just a few metres from the road.

The incident was filmed by motorist Mr Zhang from Karamay in the north-western Chinese region of Xinjiang during a thunderstorm last week.

Mr Zhang said a lightning bolt struck the ground in front of him after turning onto a main road.

He estimated that he was only around 100 metres from the area where the lightning struck, adding that his heart was still racing despite being an apparently safe distance away.

Mr Zhang said he inspected the spot where the lightning hit after the storm had passed and saw a burned patch on the grass.

In Mr Zhang’s dash-cam footage, he is seen turning onto the main road and continuing a few metres when a streak of lightning flashes just in front of him.

The lightning bolt hits the ground on a nearby field and a small fireball and puff of smoke are seen on the grass for a brief moment afterwards.