Neighbors Help Handicapped People Out of House Set Ablaze by Lightning

AURORA, IL — Neighbors helped two handicapped people out of a burning house after lightning struck it Friday afternoon.

Aurora Fire Department Lt. Jim Rhodes said crews were called to the fire in the 3100 block of Bennett Place at around 2:58 p.m. A neighbor saw the fire and called 911.

“There were two handicapped persons in the house at the time of the fire and neighbors entered the house and helped evacuate them prior to fire department arrival,” Rhodes said in a news release.

Firefighters found a two-and-a-half story wood frame house with heavy fire showing from the roof. It took crews more than two hours to extinguish the blaze.

The house was deemed uninhabitable and the residents were able to stay with nearby family members.

One firefighter received a minor injury, but was not taken to the hospital. There were no other injuries.

Rhodes said the fire was due to a lightning strike. The cost of damage was around $380,000.