Lake County Gazette

Fireworks are the suspected cause of two residential structure fires that resulted in local fire agencies and the Lake County Sheriff's Office responding to the call. No injuries were reported, though damages were extensive.

According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office press release, deputies responded at approximately 12:50 a.m. on July 5 with several local fire agencies to a structure fire in the 37700 block of Charlotte Drive, Wadsworth. The home's three occupants and their pets exited before flames engulfed the entire home. Firefighters spent several hours fighting the fire. The home was a total loss.

The residents of the home were igniting fireworks near the home earlier in the evening, according to the press release.

Deputies and firefighters responded to a second call at approximately 1:45 a.m. to the 300 block of Goshawk Lane, unincorporated Deerfield, according to another Lake County Sheriff's Office press release. First responders discovered the townhome's roof was on fire. Multiple residents evacuated the townhome before it became engulfed by fire. The townhome sustained major damage in the fire.

Fireworks were also being ignited near the townhome earlier in the evening, according to the press release.

Most fireworks in Illinois are illegal, according to another statement from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Every year deputies get called to scenes where residents have been critically injured or where structures have burned down because of illegally used fireworks.