House Fire 1 death

[gmg77]

One Killed in Waukegan Home Fire
Updated: Monday, 24 May 2010, 10:32 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 24 May 2010, 8:19 AM CDT
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Sun-Times Media Wire

Waukegan, Ill. - A man was killed in an extra-alarm fire that destroyed a two-story home Monday morning in north suburban Waukegan.

Firefighters responded about 6:15 a.m. to a two-story brick home at 422 Julian St., according to Waukegan Fire Dept. Deputy Chief Dan Wright.

Responding firefighters heard several rounds of ammunition go off and found the home "fully involved" in fire, he said.

The home was "totally destroyed" by the blaze, according to Wright, who said a portion of the roof caved in as firefighters worked to put the fire out.

One person was killed, Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller confirmed. He could not not immediately provide further details.

Wright said one else was in the home, and the man's body was removed just before 10 a.m.

The fire was under control about 8:30 a.m. although fire crews stayed at the scene battling "hot spots," he said. Crews remain at the scene conducting clean-up efforts as of 10 a.m.

It was unclear where in the home the fire began and the cause remains under investigation.

[nowinvolved]

Was reported on the noon news that this was an arson. What's up in the 6th ward historic district lately. 3 burglaries in 2 weeks (how many more that we don't know about??) and now this. Wasn't this the 1865(?) home that was moved from Sheridan Road some years back?

[ClassicalLib17]

We will never be able to build community support for law enforcement if we continue to obscure our daily crime statistics. I wonder what the progressive point of view is on this issue? I am getting weary of the overall disrespect that is the order of the day in our neighborhoods.

[believeinwaukegan]

When my wife and I were first married, we lived on the first floor of this beautiful, historic home. That was back when it was on Sheridan Road just north of Grand. Some believed that it was the oldest brick home in Lake County, based upon the foundation and construction design.

Now a person has lost his life and Waukegan has lost a piece of its history. So sad.

[ClassicalLib17]

Not to mention the alleged arson, and possible pre-meditated murder-- but hey-- we're all deep thinking, ideologically correct progressives, aren't we? What possible benefit is derived by this soft-pedaling of our massive crime problem, whether it points to the asian, german, danish, french, dutch, english, swedish, finnish, polish, lithuanian, irish, greek, belizean, ecuadorian, chilean, argentinian, brazilian, paraguayan, or Italian community? Ha, ha, ha, I made an ethnic joke! Let we the people know-- who, what, when, where, and why-- what is going on, and maybe we could work together to solve this massive, societal problem. We are a melting pot, not a salad bowl! Let us know what is going on, Waukegan! Stop hiding the crime statistics.

[admin]

ClassicalLib17 Wrote:Not to mention the alleged arson, and pre-meditated murder-- but hey-- we're all deep thinking, ideological correct progressives, aren't we?

Could you stop banging the progressive drum for a day?

A man lost his life for pete's sake.

[verenablock]

It appears to be a sad story. When I told my husband about it, and how the house was up for sale, the first thing he said was that the guy probably torched the house and committed suicide due to foreclosure. Now the Tribune is reporting that he shot himself.

[ClassicalLib17]

O.K., I stand corrected, and if this is what you say, I am ashamed for formulating an opinion on hearsay, but I was told that the smell of gasoline was all around the house and there were two porsches parked in the garage. Living in Waukegan, make your own assumption. May God rest his soul.

[gmg77]

Tragic, there are always options. btw the tribune identified the owner as Henry Clay Lewis III not sure if thats the deceased.


Fire cloaks suicide

Body found in house had been shot in head
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An accelerant was used to start a fire Monday that destroyed house on Julian Street, where firefighters recovered the burned body of a man who had shot himself in the head.

Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said the body appeared to be that of a man is his 50s, and an autopsy revealed that he had shot himself. He was not identified late Monday.

The fire at 420 Julian St. was reported at 6:15 a.m. and spread quickly, according to city Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi.

When firefighters arrived, they heard sounds that were believed to be gunshots, and it was later determined that heat from the fire caused ammunition in the home to explode. Police recovered "a lot of weapons and ammunition" from the remains of the house after the blaze was extinguished, Lenzi said.

Lenzi said the Fire Department requested help from state arson investigators and that investigators found evidence of an accelerant at the scene.

More than 10 Lake County fire departments responded to the two-alarm fire, Lenzi said. There were no reported injuries among firefighters.

Officials said they were unsure Monday afternoon whether the body was that of the homeowner.

Lake County assessment records list the owner as Henry C. Wheeler III.

Fire damages were estimated at $300,000.

"It's a total loss from everything we could gather," he said.

Neighbor Jim Wheeler, who owns the house at 426 Julian, said the homeowner spent a lot of time at work, and that vehicles were his passion.

"He was a good neighbor. We used to have nice talks," Wheeler said. "He had an old Porsche and an old Jag. If he wasn't working, he was doing something with his motor vehicles."

Wheeler said the owner recently spent time in a nursing home due to a foot infection, and that he had mobility issues. He seemed less talkative when he returned home, Wheeler said.

[WT Reader]

What a tragedy.

I remember that this house was the subject of great controversy. The owners of the home at the time to the immediate east wanted the parcel of land that where this home now resides to remain empty. They argued that the vacant property was not zoned for a home to be "moved onto it" which by the way was not in good condition at the time of the move.

A great legal battle ensued that was covered by many news media. Ultimately, the home was moved and placed upon this once vacant parcel. It was fully restored and ever since has been a real asset rather than a liabilty to this historic Waukegan neighborhood.

I just turned the corner from North Avenue onto Julian yesterday in the early PM, and could not believe what I saw here. My deepest of condolences to the family and friends of this property owner.

-- WT Reader