Structure Fire / 2400 Block of West Branch Court (Between Knoch Knolls Road and West Branch of DuPage River)
At 9:17PM on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a 911 call from a resident stating there was a fire on the roof of their house that was just struck by lightning. PSAP immediately dispatched a general alarm assignment bringing three engine companies, two truck companies, one squad company, two ambulances, and two incident commanders to the scene. The assignment brought a total of 26 personnel to the incident.
Naperville Car 1 was first on the scene, within six minutes, reporting flames coming from the roof of a large single family residence. Two occupants had evacuated the residence prior to the arrival of fire department personnel, which was confirmed by the first engine company that arrived on scene.
Companies initiated an aggressive attack on the roof fire and began overhaul operations in the second floor of the residence. Areas with active burning were extinguished within one hour of arrival on the scene and crews continued to perform salvage and overhaul operations for another hour and thirty minutes. Two occupants and multiple pets were displaced as a result of damage that occurred to the attic space and second floor rooms. The American Red Cross arrived on scene and provided assistance to the affected family. There were no injuries to any firefighters operating at the scene.
The cause of the fire was determined to be from a lightning strike. Initial findings by on scene personnel have determined that the fire originated in the roof of the residence.
The Naperville Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Naperville Police Department, Naperville Electric Department, NICOR, Naperville Transportation, Engineering, & Development Department (T.E.D.), and the American Red Cross. The Warrenville Fire Protection District provided station coverage during this incident.
Report submitted by James C. Kubinski, EMT-P, Bureau Chief – E.M.S., Naperville Fire Department.
