Lightning Strikes Orland Park Home

A lightning strike damaged a home in Orland Park on Wednesday afternoon June 25.

Residents were in their house as the thunderstorm approached their home on Karli Lane when the lightning struck the roof.

Hearing and feeling it hit their home, they checked for damage and found their attic on fire. The Orland Fire Protection District received the 911 call reporting the fire at about 2:20 pm and dispatched units for a residential fire. Initial units arrived quickly and accessed the attic with a hose line to control the fire. The fire was confined to the attic area but extensive overhaul of the second floor was needed to expose other areas of hidden fire ignited by the lightning bolt as it traveled the pipes and ductwork.

Although the fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes, Orland firefighters remained for about 2 hours clearing the debris from the fallen ceiling and protecting undamaged portions of the home. There were no injuries reported and  Orland units not involved in this incident covered other incidents in the District.