Lightning strike sparks Bartlett garage fire, causes $25,000 in damage

No injuries were reported Saturday after lightning sparked a garage fire on the 800 block of Braintree Lane in Bartlett, causing an estimated $25,000 in damage, the Bartlett Fire Protection District reported.

The home's owner told fire officials that lightning struck a tree behind the residence about 10 p.m. Saturday. About an hour later, the resident smelled smoke, went into a laundry room and saw the back of the garage on fire, according to the fire district.

He and other residents used a fire extinguisher to knock down the flames until firefighters arrived at 11:03 p.m. Firefighters had the fire under control by 11:11 p.m., officials said.

The fire was contained to the garage, and residents can still live in the home, authorities said.