Lightning blamed for Mundelein house fire

A lightning strike likely sparked a fire that caused an estimated $75,000 to a Mundelein home Saturday afternoon and forced its residents to find other housing, authorities said.

Mundelein firefighters called to the home in the 1600 block of Verde Lane at 3:31 p.m. Saturday arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the roof of the two-story structure. The home's residents met firefighters outside and indicated everyone and their pets were out safely.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about an hour, officials said, but the residence sustained extensive damage and was deemed uninhabitable by the village of Mundelein's Building Department. The residents' insurance company assisted in finding them temporary housing, officials said.

In addition to the Mundelein Fire Department, crews from 17 other area departments helped respond to the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but officials said it likely was started when lightning struck the home.