Lightning blamed for Naperville house fire

Authorities say a lightning strike ignited a fire Sunday in Naperville causing about $100,000 in damage.

Inspectors deemed the home uninhabitable, said Naperville Fire Bureau Chief Robert K. Bush. No one was home and no one was hurt, he added.

Crews arrived at 2:02 p.m. to a two-story, single-family home at 1413 Stonegate Road and found smoke flowing from the attic. Battalion Chief Mike Veseling said crews spent about 10 minutes extinguishing the blaze after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor.

"There was some water damage on the first floor, but the fire itself was confined to the attic," he said.

Neighbors said they saw firefighters climb ladder trucks while holding chain saws as flames shot from the backside of the house. Bush said firefighters needed to open the roof for ventilation.

Veseling said the tenants will be staying with family who live nearby. The house is part of Naperville's Willoway subdivision. Crews arrived in minutes, as the city's fire administration center at 1380 Aurora Ave. is nearby.

Naperville crews responded with 12 vehicles, and no other departments aided at the scene.