Orland Park firefighters use drone to battle blaze

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Thursday, July 30, 2015
Orland Park firefighters use drone house blaze
Orland Park firefighters used a drone for the first time to battle a house fire on Wednesday morning.

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Firefighters used a drone to battle a house fire that may have been caused by lightning in south suburban Orland Park.

The fire chief said flames were seen on the roof of a two-story home in the 10800-block of Scarlet Drive just before 3 a.m. Wednesday. When firefighters arrived on scene they found flames spreading across the roof and through the attic.

PHOTOS: Orland Park home catches fire after storm

Firefighters determined the family that lives in the home was away on vacation, and then launched a drone to track the spread of flames in order to concentrate water where it was needed. It took about an hour to get the ire under control

Fire officials say the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed that lightning may have hit the home. Thunderstorms with lightning were in the area at the time the fire began.

The fire chief said fire damage left the home uninhabitable.