Lightning strike starts fire in house near Lake in the Hills

Huntley fire officials are blaming a lightning strike for causing a fire in a single family home near Lake in the Hills Thursday morning.

Fire Chief Jim Saletta said they were called to the 10000 of Mason Drive at 5:44 a.m. with reports that lightning started a fire inside a home.

He said police arriving first to the scene witnessed smoke coming out of the roof of the home, but reported people inside the home had made it out without injuries.

"We got there, made access to the attic, and saw a working fire in the area of the lightning strike," he said. "We had it extinguished in about 15 minutes."

He said the home suffered some roof and ceiling damage, adding that the fire caused about $25,000 in damages.

He said the home remains inhabitable, but also remains under investigation.

"We are still investigation, but are confident it was a lightning strike," he added.

He said firefighters from Algonquin, Rutland-Dundee and Crystal Lake assisted at the scene of the fire.