Repairman Dead in CL North Shore Fire

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Incident at Crystal Lake Home Claims One Life

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 2:41 P.M. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments were summoned to a residence in the 1100 block of North Shore Drive, Crystal Lake to the report of a structure fire.

1100 North Shore DriveUpon arrival crews found an active fire burning within the home, and a male subject outside, with no signs of life.

The fire was quickly brought under control, within approximately fifteen minutes, however the structure, a 1 ½ story coach house, sustained over $25,000 in damage and is uninhabitable.

No other structures or property was damaged in this incident.

While this incident is still under investigation, what is known at this time is as follows:

The home was in use, however it was not occupied by any residents at the time of this incident.

The male subject, believed to have been a plumber, had been working inside the home with a torch prior the fire, completing repairs.

A passer-by first noticed smoke coming from the home, and alerted a neighbor driving by.

The neighbor entered into the home and dragged the victim male from inside.

It is not clear at this time if the victim succumbed to the smoke and flames, or if his death occurred prior to the fire.

Assistance at this incident was also rendered by fire departments from Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, McHenry, Huntley, Nunda Township, Cary, East Dundee, Lakewood, Wonder Lake, and Fox River Grove.

Emergency crews were released from the scene at 4:00 P.M., with the exception of investigators.

This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department, Crystal Lake Police, the Illinois Fire Marshall’s Office, and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.

The identity of the deceased victim is withheld pending positive identification and notification of immediate family.

No further information is available at this time.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *