(CREDIT: Google Maps)

Lightning is the likely cause of an early morning (Friday, Sept. 13) Elgin house fire that caused more than $90,000 damage and rendered an East Side home uninhabitable.

(CREDIT: Google Maps)

According to an Elgin Fire Department news release, firefighters responded at around 2 a.m. to the 600 block of North Porter Street for a report of a possible structure fire.

Responding fire companies found a two-story home with fire burning through the roof and on most of the second floor. The first crew arrived on scene in minutes.

Fire crews deployed two hand lines to extinguish the fire. The fire was brought under control approximately 18 minutes after the arrival of the Fire Department.

The home suffered extensive damage to the second floor. Initial damage estimates are in excess of $90,000.

The home was unoccupied and being rehabbed at the time of the fire. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries due to the fire.

The home was red-tagged as it is uninhabitable, and Code Enforcement was notified for follow-up.

Initial indications show the fire may have been caused by lightening. The Elgin Fire Department Fire Investigation Team is investigating.

SOURCE: Elgin Fire Department news release