Fireworks may be to blame for two house fires overnight in Lake County, the sheriff’s office said Friday.
The fires destroyed a house near Wadsworth and caused heavy damage to a Deerfield area townhouse, police said. According to authorities, fireworks were being used nearby and may have caused the blazes in both cases.
The sheriff’s office and numerous firefighters responded at about 12:50 a.m. Friday to the 37700 block of Charlotte Drive in Wadsworth for a reported house fire. The three residents were able to get out of the home and save their pets, but the house was engulfed in flames and was a total loss, police said.
The occupants had been using explosive fireworks near the house earlier in the evening, police said.
At about 1:45 a.m., police and firefighters responded to the 300 block of Goshawk Lane near Deerfield for a fire at a townhouse. The roof was on fire when firefighters arrived, but the occupants were able to exit without injury. The unit sustained heavy damage. Fireworks were being used near the house earlier that night, police said.
The sheriff’s office reminded residents that most fireworks are illegal in Illinois.
“Please leave fireworks to professionals who have obtained the necessary permits, after their safety plans have been approved,” the office said.
