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Crime & Safety

1 Firefighter Injured Fighting Blaze of Home Struck by Lightning

Officials estimate $200,000 damage to the home on Ekman Drive in Batavia.

One firefighter was taken to Delnor Hospital after fighting the blaze that caused $200,000 damage Wednesday to a Batavia home on Ekman Drive, according to a Batavia Fire Department press release issued around 8:35 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.

The injured firefighter is unnamed in the press release, but a Kane County Chronicle article says the injuries were not life-threatening and likely heat-related.

Firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire at 932 Ekman Drive around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday after a report that lightning had struck the home.

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Jay S. Williams, the homeowner, was not present at the time of the lightning strike, reports said.

Forty public safety personnel under the command of Batavia Battalion Chief Jami White reported to the scene in six fire engines, two trucks, two medical vehicles and five command vehicles, the press release said.

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The fire was under control as of 1:14 p.m., and the last unit cleared at 3:08 p.m.

The fire and lightning damage was estimated at $150,000 damage to the home's structure. An additional $50,000 damage was the estimated loss of contents at the home.

The fire was primarily contained to the attic. On Wednesday, firefighters could be seen battling the blaze from the roof.

Neighbor Richard Bandur said he saw the lightning bolt and heard the deafening kaboom as he was sitting at the kitchen table of his home. When he saw smoke coming from the back of the house he called 911.

Homes in the area have recently sold for between $434,000 and $505,000, according to the Zillow website.

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