Fallen tree sparks electrical fire in Antioch, damaging two homes

Storms that rolled through parts of the suburbs late Wednesday caused a tree to topple onto electrical equipment that sparked fires in two Antioch homes.

Antioch Fire Protection District officials said firefighters were called to a home on the 1000 block of Victoria Street just before 11:15 p.m. after a resident reported a strange odor.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a small electrical fire outside the home and then found a large tree had fallen during a thunderstorm, causing the electrical equipment to malfunction.

The malfunction affected three homes on the block, damaging two, fire officials said.

ComEd workers also responded and dealt with the electrical hazard before firefighters cleared the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Damage to both homes was estimated at $60,000 combined. Both homes were deemed uninhabitable.