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Lightning Causes Two House Fires In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (STMW) - Two fires Sunday morning in Naperville are being blamed on lighting. NO one was hurt, but one caused an estimated $300,000 in damage and the other $200,000.

Firefighters were called about 12:45 a.m. to 5423 Switch Grass Lane for a fire in the attic and roof of a home, according to a Naperville Fire Department release.

All the residents were out of the house and accounted for when they arrived, and firefighters battled the blaze for about 30 minutes until they got the fire under control. They stayed for another hour and a half to make sure the fire was totally out.

Firefighters were aided by a severe thunderstorm that helped keep the flames at bay, the release said. No one was injured in the fire.

Damage to the home and items inside is estimated to be over $300,000, the release said.

Then, at 8:11 a.m. Naperville authorities received a 911 call of another fire in the roof of a home at 2520 Freeland Ct., according to another release.

The fire burned in the attic and on the eaves of the home and crews were hindered by the "severe thunderstorm'' occurring at the time, according to the release.

All residents were accounted for and escaped on their own and no one was hurt.

Crews stretched multiples hose lines into the upper floor of the home as well as using hoses on the exterior of the home. The blaze was extinguished in 20 minutes, but crews remained on the scene for an additaion90 minutes to open the walls and ceilings to make sure the fire did not spread there, the release said.

The fire rendered the house on Freeland uninhabitable and caused an estimated $200,000 in damage, the release said.

Authorities determined the cause of the fire was a lightning strike.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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