Schaumburg home catches fire after lightning strike

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (WLS) -- A home in Schaumburg burst into flames after it was struck by lightning overnight. No one was injured.

Neighbors in the 500-block of Weathersfield Way say the lightning strike, which tore into the home's siding and scattered debris in the backyard, was so loud it shook them out of bed around 1:45 a.m. Thursday. They saw the fire, called 911, and ran inside the burning home to make sure Louis Leal and his family got out safely.

"The lightning strike just hit, we woke up, and the neighbors ran over and said the house was on fire," homeowner Louis Leal said. "Everybody's OK. We're going to go spend the night at our family's house and go from there."

"My first thought was just to grab water. I wanted to get a bucket, but my brother was smart enough to grab the fire extinguisher. I took that from him and just ran across and sprayed as much until it was completely out and then the family started evacuating the house," Bill Owens said.

Police said lighting struck the rear of the home. The Leal family, which moved into the home just two weeks ago, believes the lightning bolt hit an antenna on the roof and got into the electrical system.

They are now staying at a hotel.

PHOTOS: Severe storms hit Chicago area

Much of the Chicago area saw severe weather Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. Around 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, lightning struck a home and sparked a fire in unincorporated Wheaton.