A drone's aerial perspective played a key role in helping firefighters tackle a house fire that may have been caused by lightning, according to the Orland Fire Protection District.

The homeowners were away when the fire broke out around 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday at a home in the 10800 block of West Scarlet Drive in Orland Park. Neighbors alerted authorities, and by the time firefighters arrived, flames had already spread throughout the attic and roof of the 5,000-square-foot property, officials said in a statement. Fortunately, no one was injured, though the damage was significant.

It took about an hour for crews to bring the fire under control. In addition to traditional firefighting tools, they also used a drone — a new piece of technology the department has been testing for roughly two months, according to Battalion Chief Mike Schofield.

Orland Fire Protection District firefighters used a drone to help target efforts to put out a house fire Wednesday morning. The fire caused extensive damages but no one was injured. Orland Fire Protection District photo

"This is still a new technology, but I see it becoming more common in the fire service," Schofield said. "It gives us a bird’s-eye view of how the fire is spreading and helps us direct water where it's needed most."

Battalion Chief Bill Bonnar noted that while drones have been marketed for firefighting use for a few years, earlier models were too large, heavy, and costly. "The cost and technology have improved a lot," he said.

When the fire broke out, William Neumann, the district’s director of communications and drone operator, conducted a quick 360-degree scan above the house. He then climbed into the passenger seat of the battalion chief’s vehicle so both could view the live feed on an iPad mounted on the remote control.

"He had a full view of everything happening," Neumann explained. Before this incident, Neumann had only flown the drone during training or simulated fires. He estimates he's spent around 80 hours flying it so far.

Although the program is still in its early stages, Schofield called the test a success. The drone provided critical information about the fire’s origin and helped firefighters act more efficiently.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires public agencies, including fire departments, to obtain a certificate of authorization before using drones. However, the FAA doesn't track how many agencies have applied for such permits, according to spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory.

Neumann said the Orland Fire Protection District hasn’t yet applied for FAA approval but is discussing the process with Naperville after hearing they had submitted a request.

"This is a technology we're going to see more and more of in the fire service moving forward," Schofield said.

Thanks to Chris, Dan, and Martin for their support.

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