Lightning that struck Elmhurst home ‘like a bomb went off’

A west suburban Elmhurst home was struck by lightning and caught fire Wednesday night, authorities said.

About 7:50 p.m., lightning struck the house in the 300 block of North Walnut, according to the Elmhurst Fire Department. Homeowners felt the house shake and said it sounded like a bomb went off.

The homeowners smelled smoke and called 911, the fire department said.

Firefighters saw light smoke coming from the attic vents, and extinguished the attic fire with about 5 gallons of water, according to the fire department. The house was only damaged where the lightning struck.