Lightning possible cause for Aurora house fire

A lightning strike has not been ruled out as the cause of a house fire Wednesday night in Aurora, authorities said Thursday.

The fire began just before 9 p.m. at a two-story house on the 2100 block of Schoolhouse Lane on the city’s west side, Aurora spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.

Crews were alerted that the house’s roof was on fire and found it fully engulfed when they arrived. The roof and much of the wood-frame structure’s second floor were destroyed. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

Authorities said no one was injured in the fire and the exact cause remains under investigation.

Severe weather sirens were activated late Wednesday afternoon in Aurora as Kendall County, which includes a small portion of Aurora on the city’s far southeast side, was under a tornado warning.

Heavy rain, lightning, thunder and some hail hit Aurora as lines of storms moved through the region Wednesday afternoon and evening.