Two workers hospitalized after lightning strike at Libertyville H.S.

Good morning to all I.D.I. employees,

Please read the article below from the Chicago Tribune on 6/13/16.  We don't want this to happen to our I.D.I. family members.  If you are working outside and you see lightning, you need to stop work, get to a safe location and notify your Superintendent.  Your safety is our number one concern and the number one concern of your loved ones!

A roofing worker is seen atop Libertyville High School after the Libertyville Fire Department responded to a report of two roofing workers struck by lighting on June 13, 2016. (Joe Shuman / Chicago Tribune)

Robert McCoppin and Frank S. AbderholdenContact Reporters

Two construction workers at Libertyville High School were hospitalized Monday after they may have been indirectly struck by lightning, officials said.

The Libertyville Fire Department responded about 12:30 p.m. to a call that someone was struck by lightning while working on the roof of the high school at 708 W. Park Ave., Assistant Chief Michael Cloe said.

"The roofers were not struck directly by lightning, but appear to have sustained some energy from the lightning strike as it moved across the roof," District 128 spokeswoman Mary Todoric said.

The roofers, both men in their 30s, were off the roof by the time paramedics arrived and appeared to be "shaken up," fire officials said. They were taken in good condition to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

A roofing worker is seen atop Libertyville High School after the Libertyville Fire Department responded to a report of two roofing workers struck by lighting on June 13, 2016. (Joe Shuman / Chicago Tribune)

Riddiford Roofing Company was hired to replace a section of roof on south side of building as part of scheduled maintenance, Todoric said. A company spokesman, who did not want to be identified, said the workers were hospitalized as a "precaution."

"It was not as serious as originally thought," he said.

School officials said the building was hit, but no damage was found, Fire Chief Rich Carani said.

Gino Izzi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the fast-moving thunderstorm produced about 10 lightning strikes in the area of Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lake Bluff and Lake Forest.

A Libertyville police officer saw a lightning bolt near the school, but did not know at the time exactly where it struck, Sgt. Ed Sindels said.

Cloe added that people should take cover when lightning appears in the area.

Robert McCoppin is a Tribune staff reporter and Frank Abderholden is a News-Sun staff reporter.

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