Update: Lightening Strike Cause of South Barrington Fire

UPDATED 9:25 A.M., JULY 10: 

Barrington Fire Department and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District were called to a fire at Terra Vita Drive at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday caused by a lightening strike, according to a press release.

The occupants of the house were able to escape but heavy smoke and flames were reported on the roof.

Firefighters were on the scene in seven minutes and began fighting the fire from inside, then were forced back due to a backdrafts that caused a partial collapse of a rear part of the roof, the release stated.

Flames spread quickly through the attic, fueled by the type of construction material used on the single family home, firefighters said. Multiple hot spots were concealed in different areas, which meant it took awhile to extinguish the fire, officials said.

A total of 10 fire departments responded to the fire helping with a tanker shuttle  and creating a water supply, the release stated.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Fire destroyed a South Barrington home Tuesday afternoon, but firefighters and a mom and her two children were not injured in the massive blaze.

Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District responded to what was initially described as a bomb that went off on Terra Vita Drive in South Barrington, according to reports.

There were reports the fire started as a result of a lightening strike but Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District officials did not release any details at the scene.

Firefighters requested mutual aid from departments as far away as Fox River Grove and Bartlett as the flames spread through the house.

Barrington Countryside firefighters faced the additional challenge of needing to bring water to the scene because the Terra Vita subdivision does not have any hydrants, officials said. Aerial ladders were available and tankers steadily delivered water, held in yellow containment boxes, that was transported to the fire through a series of hoses.

South Barrington police closed off a portion of Barrington Road, between Route 62 and  Mundhank Road during the emergency, rerouting traffic. The road remained closed hours after the initial call.

A man walking in the subdivision talking on a cell phone said the home belonged to his best friend. The man said his friend’s family was safe.

The homeowners contacted A-Midwest Board Up to secure the home.