Lightning strikes Oak Forest apartments for 2nd time in 6 weeks

OAK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) -- Local fire departments received several reports of lightning strikes during Monday's severe storms. But an Oak Forest apartment building has now been struck twice.

"It's kind of unusual to see," Oak Forest Deputy Fire Chief Jack Janozik said. "But things to do happen."

For the second time in a little over a month, Oak Forest firefighters were called to the same apartment building on Peggy Lane to put out a fire sparked by lightning.

"It hit my boy's room," resident Beirut Zatar said. "I'm just thanking God we're not there this time. It could have... I'm in shock. I can't believe this has happened again."

Flames could be seen from the roof, which crews were able to extinguish quickly. One person was injured. He was fixing the alarm system inside the building when the lightning struck. But he is expected to be OK.

Lightning first struck the south suburban building on May 20, starting a fire. Residents stayed in temporary housing while the structure was repaired.

"I think I'm going to play the lottery," resident Cheryl Dotson said. "Maybe God is telling me I shouldn't live here."