On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at approximately 1:27 a.m., the Lombard Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on the 500 block of South Edson Ave. in Lombard. Initial reports were that a possible lightning strike caused the fire. The first Fire Department crews arrived on the scene at 1:31 a.m. and found an exterior fire in the back of the building on the second floor.
The fire was quickly knocked down, and crews moved inside the residence to extinguish an additional fire. Once inside, crews were met with heavy smoke conditions. Due to the building construction style of the home, multiple crews were needed to fight the fire simultaneously from different locations. Thus, the alarm was elevated to a box alarm which brought in additional resources.
The residents were alerted by the home’s smoke detectors and were located safely outside the home upon the arrival of fire crews. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians; however, the fire led to the death of a family pet.
The home sustained extensive damage, estimated at $150,000, and was ruled uninhabitable. The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit determined that the cause of the fire was most likely a large tree in the front yard being struck by lightning.
The Lombard Fire Department was assisted by the Oak Brook, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Downers Grove and Hinsdale Fire Departments as well as the Addison and York Center Fire Protection Districts and the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company. The Lombard Police Department also assisted at the scene.
Please contact Deputy Chief Ray Kickert with any questions at (630) 620-5736.