The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Grayslake Fire Protection District, evidence technicians from the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, and Grayslake police joined forces Tuesday to seek to determine the cause of a fire that was reported just after midnight Tuesday August 22, 2017 on Normandy Lane near Briargate Drive in Grayslake.
Three police officers were injured while rescuing a teenage boy in heavy smoke in the home.
“There’s some strange circumstances. We’re doing a very thorough investigation,” according to Grayslake Police Chief Phillip Perlini, who refused to provide additional information.
Perlini said Grayslake Sgt. Scott Heimos and Officer Sean Madden were treated in a hospital and released after the fire, but Officer Kurt Newman, who travelled the greatest distance inside the house, and actually dragged the teen out of the house, was still in the hospital Tuesday evening. Officer Newman was expected to be released later in the Tuesday or Wednesday.
The male teenager was transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood from Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
According to a Grayslake Fire Protection District statement, crews were called at 12:34 a.m. for a fire in the block of 300 Normandy Lane with reports of an occupant trapped. When Grayslake firefighters arrived, Grayslake police officers already had the teen at the front door. Initially police and firefighters believed the teen was in a second floor bedroom.
Brad Mohlman, who lives across the street told local Chicago media he was just returning from a gas station when he smelled smoke. He said the woman who owns the house walked out of the smoke-filled home, and he asked her if everyone was out and if everyone was OK. His wife Carrie Burns called 9-1-1 and recognized that one person was still recognized that one person was still in the house when the woman’s daughter ran up and said another family member was still inside.
Mohlman said the smoke was so thick that he couldn’t go in more than a few feet.
Three police officers formed a human chain, linking arms for safety in the thick smoke. The middle police officer used a flashlight while the first officer at the top of the stairs could feel a shoulder and pulled the teen down. The third officer kept contact or orientation with the safety of the front door.
ABC 7 Chicago reported that two dogs were killed in the fire, and one dog survived with the help of oxygen treatment. A firefighter put an oxygen mask on the surviving dog, and Mohlman kept the oxygen on the dog’s nose after the firefighter gave him instructions.
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Several fire departments assisted Grayslake firefighters.
Initially, a Round Lake fire engine crew was also assigned to the house fire on Normandy Lane near Briar Gate by 12:37 a.m. to assist Grayslake firefighter/paramedics.
Ambulance 271’s crew was assigned to bring their cot to the front yard by 12:42 a.m.
A second ambulance was requested to respond to the scene by 12:44 a.m. — Crew 1 and 5 assigned (Round Lake A263)
Firefighter/paramedics on scene were directed to a police officer and a police sergeant requiring medical attention by 12:49 a.m.
Ambulance 271’s transported the pediatric patient that was removed from the house to Advocate Condell Medical Center (hospital not confirmed).
A MABAS Box Alarm and an additional ambulance (third ambulance) was requested by 12:56 a.m.
A MABAS Division 4 Box Alarm on Box #27-1R was activated for a house fire at 12:57 a.m.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal was requested to the scene by 1:43 a.m.
The MABAS Box Alarm was struck out at 2:42 a.m.
FIRE/MEDIC UNITS ASSIGNED …
ENGINE(S): E272 E271 Round Lake E261
TRUCK(S): T ?? TL ??
SQUAD(S): SQD ??
RIT: BC ?? T ??
CHIEF(S): BC27 2701 2700
EMS: A271 A261 Round Lake A263?
BOX UNITS ASSIGNED …
ENGINE(S): Lake Villa Fire Department
Gurnee Fire Department
SQUAD(S): Libertyville Fire Department
EMS: Newport Township FPD
CHIEF(S): Libertyville Fire Department
Round Lake FPD
Countryside FPD
SPECIAL: Mundelein E431 for RIT, REHAB 2
CHANGE OF QUARTERS: Antioch Fire Department Engine
Countryside FPD Ambulance
Antioch Fire Department Chief
Knollwood Fire Department Engine
Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Ambulance moved up to scene
STAGING: Pierce Ct and Normandy Ln