UPDATED: Lightning caused house fire in Normal

Normal Fire Department
The Normal Fire Department responded to a fire at 1317 Ogelthorpe Ave. on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Normal Fire Department)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – Fire investigators say a lighting strike caused the fire that damaged a home in northeast Normal on Thursday.

The fire at 1317 Ogelthorpe Ave. caused about $60,000 in damages to the home and contents.

The fire started in the attic along the east side of the house. Lightning struck the house at about 7:30 a.m. while the homeowner was inside the house on the couch. After experiencing the lightning strike, the homeowner walked out of his house and noticed smoke and flames near the front of the house.

Fire officials say the home is insured and the occupant is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…