3-Alarm fire in McHenry, 11/11/15

I took a few photos at the McHenry Township 3rd Alarm on Tender Box 5-1274 for the house fire that happened on November 11, 2015. The home was fully engulfed due to a lightning strike.

– Thanks, Tyler Tobolt.

Tyler Tobolt photo

Tyler Tobolt photo

Tyler Tobolt photo

Here are some excerpts from NorthwestHerald.com:

A lightning strike might have caused a fire that destroyed a home in McHenry, but fire officials said it was other factors that kept them on the scene until about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.

McHenry Township Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Mike Majercik explained that crews had to bring in water tankers to fight the fire at the two-story home on Silver Glen Road because there were no fire hydrants in the area. High winds also made the situation more challenging.

“The wind and lack of water really let the fire get ahead of us,” Majercik said.

The fire was reported around 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, and by 10 p.m., flames were still visible. Lt. Mike Kempster noted that lingering flames came from an unshut gas main. Nicor arrived around 10:30 p.m., and firefighters claimed control within 90 minutes.

Winds were gusting up to 35 mph when the fire started and reached nearly 40 mph by the time crews left the scene just after midnight.

The house was completely destroyed, with estimated damages reaching $450,000, including the structure and its contents.

While the lightning strike hasn’t been officially confirmed as the cause, Majercik mentioned that the homeowners heard a loud noise on the roof before a neighbor called to report the fire.