As thunderstorms rolled through the northwest suburbs last night, the Long Grove Fire Department received calls for a lightning strike and fire at a home on Stayton Lane. The residents were at home at the time but were unaware that their house had been struck until neighbors came to the door to get them out of the house. First companies found flames at the roof peak where lightning had struck and created several holes. The fire was quickly extinguished but firefighters remained on the scene for a while until the roof could be inspected. The first truck on the scene was evidently unable to make the driveway at the end of the one-lane street with many trees, so a smaller quint was requested that would be able to setup in the driveway. Heavy rain and lightning in the area delayed the operation during several attempts to put firefighters at the tip of the ladder.
The area is without hydrants and gets three tankers on the initial response for any possible fire. The Palatine Rural Fire Department tanker refilled Long Grove’s tanker before being released from the scene. The Daily Herald has a brief article HERE.
Long Grove Tanker 55 supplied water to Squad 55 since there are no hydrants in this area. Larry Shapiro photo
Evidence of the lightning strike along the gutter line and roof. Larry Shapiro photo
Palatine Rural Fire District Tanker 36 was one of three tankers called to the scene. Before being released, this tanker refilled Long Grove Tanker 55. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro was at the scene and submitted several images. A gallery with more images can be found HERE.
The squad and tanker from Long Grove had to be repositioned so that Buffalo Grove Quint 27 could make the driveway. Larry Shapiro photo
Buffalo Grove Quint 27 backed down the driveway and setup the main so firefighters could inspect the damage at the roof's peak. Larry Shapiro photo
Damage to the roof from the lightning strike is visible. Larry Shapiro photo
The lightning strike blew out this transformer and an attached unit inside the garage. Larry Shapiro photo
A Buffalo Grove firefighter examines the damage and checks for extension at the roof's peak where the lightning struck. Larry Shapiro photo
