A grim discovery was made in the aftermath of a destructive house fire in Hawthorn Woods this past weekend. According to ABC7 Chicago, a body was found Sunday in the debris of a home that was engulfed by flames on Saturday afternoon. While fire departments struggled with the blaze, the Lake Zurich Fire Department indicated that there was a "missing husband," but it has yet to be confirmed if the deceased is the same individual.
Fighting the fire, which had flames shooting through the roof upon arrival of the firefighters, was complicated by a lack of fire hydrants in the area, presenting challenges during the weekend. While working from several angles to contain the inferno to the single property, they were met by a house on Rosewood Drive and Orchard Lane that was completely overtaken by the fire. Lake Zurich Fire Chief David Pilgard said in a house engulfed in flames, "Because of the complexity, size of the fire and lack of water, the fire went to a third alarm to send resources here."
Adding to the layers of this tragedy, CBS News Chicago reports the Lake County Coroner's Office expressed that the victim is believed to be a relative who did not live at the home. The identity of the deceased is still pending further scientific examination, including a dental comparison. An awaited autopsy that was believed to include toxicology tests and measures of carbon monoxide levels in the victim's system is still pending.
Multiple agencies, such as the Hawthorn Woods Police Department, Lake Zurich Fire Department, local fire investigators, and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, are actively investigating the cause of the fire. Reports have indicated that the home included an electronic vehicle and charging station within the garage. With an electronic vehicle and charging station creating extra challenges, officials are unsure if the fire originated from this location while putting the fire out was complicated by it.
