Fireworks believed to be the cause of fires in Wadsworth, Deerfield

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Fireworks are believed to be the cause of fires in north suburban Wadsworth and Deerfield early this morning.

A fire in Wadsworth on Charlotte Drive started a little before 1 a.m. in an area that does not have hydrants, so Gurnee firefighters called in several departments with tankers to help.

Despite those efforts and hours of work, the two-story single family home was a total loss.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Chris Covelli said people in the home were lighting fireworks earlier.

“It is believed that something landed on the roof or in an area that combusted and started the fire,” Covelli said.

He also said a townhome in unincorporated Deerfield that caught fire about an hour later was also near amateur displays.

“We respond around the fourth of July every year to individuals that lose body parts, become critically injured, or fires where the house is a total loss.”

People were able to get out with their pets and no one was injured in either fire, but Covelli says both homes appear to be total losses.

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