Lightning blamed for house fire in St. Charles

A fire that caused an estimated $60,000 in damage to St. Charles home Saturday was caused by a lightning strike to the roof, St. Charles fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to a call at 1187 Willowgate Lane at 5 a.m. for a report of an odor of smoke and activated detectors.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in a vaulted ceiling above the home's living room.

"The lightening hit the peak of the roof, traveled through rafter spaces and across the ridge," St. Charles Assistant Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet said.

Two occupants made it out of the home safely. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva and released.

The home is considered habitable but the occupants are staying with family, according to officials.

Firefighters from the Geneva and Batavia fire departments assisted at the scene, helping bring the fire under control in about an hour.