URSA, ILL. -- The severe storms that rolled through the Tri-States Saturday brought a lot of rain, strong wind, and deadly lightning. It's suspected lightning hit two homes in the Ursa area in northern Adams County. Firefighters managed to save one home, despite the challenging weather. They could not save the second home. That house belongs to KHQA's own Jim Robesky and his family.
It's hard to picture it by looking at what's left, but this used to be a two-story farm house, one that's been in the family for generations. Wood, metal, and nails that held the house together, now form piles of black ash.
"At the time the fire started, no one was home. So we were pretty lucky in that way. Because the fire came so quickly. We're just lucky," Robesky said.
The only recognizable reminders of this home are the washer and dryer, a box spring from a bed, a plastic flamingo, and this horse shoe.
"It's weird to think that all that stuff is gone, but it's just stuff and we can get new stuff," Robesky said.
Friends and neighbors stopped by all day.
"It's been an outcry of support so we feel blessed and are happy that we have that here because what's behind me is not anymore," Robesky said.
So what's next?
"At this point, we don't know what we're going to do, but I would guess that we would probably do something here on the farm," Robesky said.
The official cause of the fire still is not known.
A truly remarkable part of this has to do with the family dog. For hours, the family and firefighters called out for Romey but he was nowhere to be found.
A firefighter kicked around the doghouse door to see if he was inside. And he was. Romey suffers from some smoke inhalation but he will be just fine.
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