Cary house fire may have started from lightning during storms that pummeled area

A Cary home was uninhabitable following a fire late Thursday that may have started from a lightning strike.

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First responders found heavy fire from coming from rear and side of the two-story home when they arrived to the 500 block of Surrey Ridge Drive at shortly after 10 p.m.

Despite heavy downpours and active thunderstorm conditions, firefighters brought the fire under control by approximately 10:30 p.m. Three occupants were home at the time and were able to escape unharmed prior to the arrival of first responders. Searches confirmed that no one remained inside the residence.

The Cary Fire Protection District and neighboring departments doused the fire by about 10:30 p.m. while rain, thunder and lightning continued. Three occupants of the house had evacuated before personnel arrived.

Heavy damage to the upper floor and attic left the home uninhabitable, and an investigation into the cause continues, though a lightning strike was believed to be the cause.

The blaze was among others reported following two rounds of storms that passed through the McHenry County area Thursday evening,

An earlier system caused a series of trees to fall on road and power lines in the Marengo area, and what was to be the first night of Lake in the Hills’ Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest was canceled and early arrivers evacuated.

Another round of scattered storms is expected Friday, mainly between 3 and 11 p.m. that could bring damaging winds, lightning strikes, torrential rainfall and flash flooding, particularly in areas already rain-soaked.