Published: June 29, 2009 09:38 am      

Lightning damages former Lyons business

CLINTON — The Clinton Fire Department was dispatched to 110 Main Ave., for a structure fire at 7:51 p.m. Saturday.

According to a press release, the first engine company on the scene reported smoke at the roof area coming from the eaves. The crew entered the roof area and found fire and smoke coming from under the roof.

This was a pitched roof built over a flat roof and there was a void space between the roofs.

The fire was in this void space between the roofs and the fire crew cut ventilation holes to get to the fire, which was extinguished within 45 minutes of the fire department’s arrival.

The Clinton Fire Department initially responded with one ladder company and one engine company, as all other companies were on downed power lines calls due to a thunderstorm and an emergency medical services call.

A second alarm was called for more manpower from the Clinton Fire Department. Off-duty personnel responded to the scene and all other fire units completed their previous calls and responded. Mutual aid also responded from the Fulton, Ill., Fire Department.

The building was an unoccupied structure and all utilities were shut off to the building.

The building was insured and there was approximately $3,000 damage to the structure. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for heat exposure.

According to the release, the most probable cause is a lightning strike as a witness stated seeing lightning strike the building.