Shortly after the tornado warning expired in the early hours of this morning, just as we were trying to get back to sleep, a Crystal Lake fire truck came past our house on Lakewood’s main drag. Usually when there is no traffic, the crews are kind enough not to blow their siren. This time the siren was not continuous on their drive down Lake Avenue, but it did keep us awake a while longer.

This press release from the Crystal Lake Fire Department explains what was happening:

Structure Fire – 4016 Ned Drive, Crystal Lake, IL

On June 30, 2014 at 03:00 AM, the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded to a reported structure fire at 4016 Ned Drive, Crystal Lake.

First arriving Crystal Lake units at 03:07 AM reported smoke and flames coming from the attic area on the front of a two story, single-family home.

Fire crews discovered an attic fire and proceeded to work to extinguish the fire.

A MABAS alarm was requested for additional assistance as the fire was located in an area not served by fire hydrants.

The fire was declared under control at 03:44 AM.

Due to the amount of damage from fire and smoke, the structure was deemed uninhabitable by the Crystal Lake Fire Department with an inspection from the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development to be completed today.

A family of two was displaced by the fire and is being assisted by family in the area.

There were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire appears to be a lightning strike to the roof area from a storm in the area.

Initial damage estimates are $65,000 for the structure.

Crystal Lake was assisted by fire departments from Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry, Nunda Rural, Cary, Lakewood, Woodstock, Wauconda, Barrington, and Carpentersville.