Last night, firefighters from Lincolnshire-Riverwoods were dispatched to a house fire at 20538 N. Clarice Avenue in unincorporated Lake County, near Buffalo Grove. The call came in at 10:53 p.m., and as the units responded, the alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 due to the intensity of the working fire. The weather was harsh—temperatures hovered around 12 degrees Fahrenheit, with steady snowfall driven by strong winds. When the first responders arrived, they found the two-story home fully engulfed in flames, with two residents safely outside.
The husband was taken to a local hospital by Lincolnshire paramedics, reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation. The nearest fire hydrant was frozen, forcing crews to escalate the response to a Box Alarm. Lincolnshire Engine 51 and Engine 52, along with Truck 53, began operations immediately. Truck 53 was deployed for master stream operations as crews laid lines and worked to control the blaze.
Several mutual aid companies also responded, including Long Grove, Countryside, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Palatine, Northfield, and Grayslake. Firefighters battled the flames under extremely cold conditions, with snow continuing to fall throughout the operation.
Photos from the scene were captured by neighbors Sally Miller and Larry Shapiro, who arrived after the roof had collapsed. The images show the full extent of the destruction, with the home completely consumed by fire. One photo even shows a firefighter with an ice-encrusted helmet, highlighting the challenging environment.
A video from the scene is also available, offering a closer look at the devastation. More updates will follow as more information becomes available.