By Bob Bong
A lightning strike Sunday afternoon caused a small fire in the attic of an Orland Park home in the 13200 block of Harvest Crossing in the Silo Ridge subdivision.
Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said the fire started around 5 p.m. Sunday when a storm rolled through the area.
The homeowner smelled smoke minutes after lightning struck his home and immediately called the Orland Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Michael Schofield said Monday.
Firefighters entered the home and found light smoke on the second floor of the home and moderate smoke in the attic.
Further inspection found that several wooden structural members and insulation in the attic were charred and smoldering.
Firefighters extinguished the smoldering materials to prevent further fire damage while also trying to minimize water and cosmetic damage to the home.
All smoldering material and debris were removed and the home was turned back over to the resident at approximately 6:45 p.m.
No one was injured.
At the same time firefighters were extinguishing the lightning fire, other Orland firefighters responded to a call of a chimney fire in a home at 11540 Kingswood Drive at 6:30 p.m.
The fire was contained to the chimney and was quickly extinguished with no damage to the home.
A thorough inspection was performed and the home was turned over to the resident at 7:05 p.m.
Schofield said that homeowners should regularly have their chimney flues cleaned to prevent blockage that can cause a fire, and also to clean the ducts, exhaust tubes and vents on their home dryers.
“These are common causes of fires that can easily be prevented by cleaning the chimneys and dryer exhaust tubes regularly,” said Schofield.
The drums should also be regularly cleaned to remove lint accumulation, he said.