Above / Naperville Fire Department reports structure fire in 1500 Block of Ada Lane, Naperville, Illinois. (PN File Photo)
At 4:17AM on Monday morning (March 20, 2017), Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a 911 call from the homeowner reporting a lightning strike with visible smoke in the attic.
PSAP immediately dispatched a general alarm assignment consisting of 3 engine companies, 2 truck companies, 1 squad company, 2 ambulances, 2 alternate response vehicles, and 2 incident commanders to the scene. A total of 26 personnel responded to the scene.
Engine Company 7 was first on the scene, within 7 minutes, and reported nothing showing from the front of the single family residence. Upon further investigation the initial fire officer reported a slight haze within the second floor and visible fire to the exterior of the roof. The engine officer immediately began a search for the seat of the fire and confirmed that all occupants were out of the building. Crews identified fire in the roof that had extended to the attic area, secured a water supply, and moved a hose line inside as they worked to extinguish the fire.
Once located, the fire was extinguished within 10 minutes of arrival on the scene. Crews continued to work on the scene performing salvage and overhaul operations for approximately 90 minutes. The residence was deemed uninhabitable by the Transportation Engineering and Development (TED) inspector on the scene.
Fire caused by lightning strike
The cause of the fire was determined to be from an earlier lightning strike. The Naperville Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Naperville Police Department and a representative from the Transportation Engineering and Development (TED) group. The Warrenville and Plainfield Fire agencies provided station coverage during this incident. Additional assistance was provided by NiCor Gas and the Naperville Electric Department.
There were no reported injuries to firefighters or citizens.
News report submitted by James C. Kubinski, EMT-P, Bureau Chief – E.M.S., Naperville Fire Department.
Editor’s Note / Local residents reported the loud thunderstorm that whipped through the city during the night. Early this morning helicopter sounds also alerted the West Wind neighborhood that news crews were hovering over the home to cover the story. Thanks again to the Naperville Fire Department.
