It was a scene straight out of a movie last night in Kildeer, with the dark skies illuminated by towering flames from a massive house fire. The fire broke out in a multi-story residence on N Meadowlark Drive, and it’s safe to say this home won’t be habitable anytime soon. From what I’ve heard, the structure might be beyond repair.
The intense flames were so big that they required assistance from over a dozen neighboring towns. Firefighters had their hands full, especially since the area lacks fire hydrants. Instead, they relied on a dry hydrant system to pull water from nearby retention ponds—a resourceful move given the circumstances. Lake Zurich Fire Chief David Pilgrad mentioned that due to the fire's ferocity, one of the neighboring houses had to be soaked as a precautionary measure. It’s a testament to how quickly things can escalate.
Thankfully, everyone inside the burning home got out safely. There were no injuries requiring medical attention, which is definitely a relief. As of now, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
I took some photos earlier tonight (courtesy of my friend Larry Shapiro), and you can see just how intense the situation was. The first image shows Long Grove FPD Tanker 55 hard at work under the cover of night, while the second and third images capture the sheer scale of the fire itself. For those interested in more visuals, there are additional thumbnails available, though I haven’t been able to load them all yet.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for updates, WGNTV.com has an excerpt from their report:
“In the early hours of darkness, the blaze could be seen from miles away. A multi-story home was engulfed in flames, leaving it uninhabitable. Firefighters had to battle not only the intensity of the fire but also limited access to water sources in the area. Mutual aid was essential, with surrounding communities pitching in to help. Despite the chaos, everyone inside the home escaped unscathed.â€
As always, our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy. If you have any information about the fire or know anyone involved, please reach out. And remember, safety first—whether it’s during a fire or anything else life throws your way.