CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Homeowners in Coles County are counting their blessings after a tree hit a home and tore a hole in the roof. It happened near N. Sixth Street and Vine Avenue Saturday afternoon.

Two people and a dog were home, but no one was hurt. The homeowners said it was caused by lightning, although WCIA hasn’t been able to confirm that with authorities.

Neighbors have been working to help clean up the mess ever since, and said their efforts speak to the sense of community in Charleston. 

“My husband used our big excursion truck to pull the tree off the house for the people,” neighbor Andrea Wiley said. “We had four or five people here with chainsaws trying to cut it up and get everything off the house so it wouldn’t do more damage, but there is quite a bit of damage.”

The homeowners said the city inspector will be by on Monday to look at the damage.