Home Destroyed In Blaze Likely Caused By Fireworks: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Deputies in Lake County responded to two house fires last night likely caused by fireworks, including one north of Gurnee, police said Friday.

The sheriff's office was called to the home in the 37700 block of Charlotte Drive in Wadsworth at about 12:50 a.m. on Friday for the reported fire. Everyone inside the home, including three residents and their pets, were able to safely get out before the residence became fully engulfed in flames, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The home is a total loss following the blaze, which firefighters battled for hours, fire officials said.

Earlier in the evening, those living at the home were igniting explosive fireworks near the home, authorities said.

Fireworks are also believed to have caused a blaze at a townhome near Deerfield, which caused major damage to the residence early Friday.

Following the blazes, sheriff's office officials are reminding residents that most fireworks in Illinois are not legal.

Every year, deputies respond to calls where people have been critically injured or where structures have burned to the ground due to illegally used fireworks, police said Friday. Police urged residents to leave fireworks to professionals who have obtained the necessary permits and created safety plans for the fireworks shows.