Firefighters responded to three separate structure fires at homes in McHenry County in an hour and a half that were suspected to be caused by lightning strikes as storms passed through the area.
The Cary Fire Protection District responded around 10:07 p.m. Thursday to the 500 block of Surrey Ridge Drive in Cary for a report of a structure fire.
Initial 911 callers reported that the home had possibly been struck by lightning during a strong thunderstorm moving through the area, according to Cary Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Firefighters arrived within five minutes to find heavy fire showing from the rear and side of a two-story residence.
Fire crews deployed hose lines and secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant.
The incident was upgraded to a working fire response, bringing in additional personnel and change of quarters companies to support operations and ensure continued coverage across the Cary area, Vucha said.
Firefighters brought the fire under control by 10:30 p.m. despite the heavy downpours and active thunderstorms.
Three occupants were home at the time and were able to escape uninjured prior to the arrival of the fire department.
Firefighters searched the home and confirmed that no one remained inside the residence, Vucha said.
The house sustained heavy damage to the upper floor and attic. The structure has been deemed uninhabitable.
Vucha said the three displaced occupants will be receiving assistance from family and friends.
A lightning strike is believed to have caused the fire but the incident remains under investigation by the Cary Fire Protection District.
The Cary Fire Protection District was assisted by the Barrington Fire Department, Cary Police Department, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department, Fox River Grove Fire Protection District, McHenry Township Fire Protection District and Nunda Rural Fire Protection District.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District was called 20 minutes later, around 10:29 p.m., to the 6900 block of Waterford Drive in McHenry for a report of smoke inside a home.
Firefighters arrived and did not immediately see any smoke or fire showing.
Fire crews found fire in the eaves after a possible lightning strike and requested additional firefighters to the scene.
Everyone evacuated the home safely and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in less than 15 minutes after arriving. A board-up company was called to the scene to shore up the residence.
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District responded an hour later, around 11:30 p.m., to the 300 block of Oak Leaf Road in Lake in the Hills for a report of a structure fire.
A 911 caller reported that a detached garage had been struck by lightning and caught fire, fire officials said.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and found a detached two-car garage with flames coming from the roof.
Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack on the garage and located a fire at the peak of the roof.
Fire officials said the fire was brought under control in 20 minutes and additional fire crews remained on the scene completing overhaul and extinguishing hotspots.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike. A damage estimate was not immediately available.
The Lake in the Hills Police Department, Huntley Fire Protection District, Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department assisted at the scene.
Earlier in the evening, the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts responded to multiple calls after a strong and fast-moving storm moved through the southwestern portion of McHenry County around 6:45 p.m.
The storm brought heavy rain and powerful winds, which toppled numerous trees, blocked roadways and downed power lines, according to Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Impacted roads included River Road, Millstream Road and Garden Prairie Road in unincorporated McHenry County, as well as Randall Court within the City of Marengo.
Vucha said ComEd was notified of the damaged power lines and township crews were working to remove debris.
Fire crews remained in the field as of 8:30 p.m. assisting with road closures and addressing hazards related to live power lines.
“Residents are urged to avoid any downed wires and to assume all power lines are energized. Never attempt to move or drive over downed lines and report them immediately to 911 or ComEd,” Vucha said.
The Lake in the Hills Police Department reported that Ribfest was canceled for the rest of the evening Thursday due to unsafe conditions caused by the severe weather.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope you may be able to visit again tomorrow,” the department said.