Lightning probable cause of Schaumburg house fire
No one was injured during a late-night fire in the 0-100 block of Plumrose Court in Schaumburg Thursday that initial reports say was caused by a lightning strike, authorities said.
Schaumburg Deputy Fire Chief William Spencer said residents of Plum Rose Court heard lightning strike the home at about 8:30 p.m., but didn't see any damage to the building when inspecting.
But, at about 12:05 a.m. Friday morning, fire and smoke was seen in the attic of the home.
"The residents were on the first floor of the home when the fire started and smoldered, so they didn't smell anything," he said. "When they went upstairs, they smelled smoke and heard the fire, and got out."
No one was injured in the blaze, he said.
Residents called 911 from a cell phone and fire fighters were able to knock the blaze down within an hour, Spencer said.
He said the home is uninhabitable.
He said initial estimates are the fire caused about $250,000 to the home itself, and an additional $100,000 in damages to belongings inside.
"It was strange to have a lightning strike this early in the season," Spencer added. "Those usually come later in the year."