More on the large brush fire in Buffalo Grove yesterday.
Fire burns near the power lines west of Buffalo Grove Road near Aptakisic on Sunday. Larry Shapiro photo
Several power poles burn on the ComEd easement in Buffalo Grove. Larry Shapiro photo
The Daily Herald reports that a 20-year old male is responsible for causing the large brush fire in Buffalo Grove yesterday that threatened several homes and resulted in hundreds of area residents to lose power.
A 20-year-old Buffalo Grove man is accused of sparking a fast-moving brush fire that produced a 30-foot wall of flames threatening dozens of homes Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters from more than 20 departments helped battle the blaze, which spread to a number of power lines and ripped through 30 acres of dry brush, officials said.
The blaze, which fire officials said was fueled by dry conditions, burned down utility poles and torched multiple power lines causing about 2,400 ComEd customers to lose power.
An off-duty Morton Grove police officer in the area spotted four people running from the scene of the fire and was able to stop them before Buffalo Grove police arrived. Police said the group was lighting off illegal fireworks, which sparked the brush.
Officers arrested Gabriel R. Horwich, 20, and charged him with criminal damage to property by reckless means of fire, a felony carrying a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.
“We were very lucky no people were hurt and no homes were damaged,” Kristiansen said. “The fire department did an exceptional job.”
ComEd restored power to nearly all the homes by Sunday night, but the blaze caused about $150,000 in damages to the wires and poles, Kristiansen said.
Police said the three people with Horwich had not been charged as of Sunday night, but the investigation was ongoing.
Horwich is due in bond court Monday morning.
The entire article can be found HERE.
A master stream from a homeowner’s yard in the south sector of the fire is directed towards flames under the high tension power lines. Tim Olk photo
The incident command post was established near the intersection of Buffalo Grove Road and Aptakisic Road. Dan McInerney photo
Palatine Engine 82 deployed a deck gun from behind a house on Cedar Court. Dan McInerney photo
Smoke and flames are visible throughout the utility easement area. Larry Shapiro photo
Flames were reportedly in excess of 30-feet tall under the electric wires. Larry Shapiro photo
Prospect Heights Squad 9 and Highwood Truck 37 were positioned on Buffalo Grove Road to the east of the fire. Dan McInerney photo
Long Grove Squad 55 was protecting homes on Dover Court. Dan McInerney photo
Buffalo Grove Engine 26 deployed a master stream from a ball field on Buffalo Grove Road. Larry Shapiro photo
Arlington Heights Engine 4 was in the south sector on Coventry Lane protecting homes that were threatened. Larry Shapiro photo
Buffalo Grove MobileComm provided communications support for emergency operations at the scene. Dan McInerney photo
As the fire was extinguished, the area of involvement became evident. Larry Shapiro photo
Wheeling firefighters continue to wet down hotspots. Tim Olk photo
Buffalo Grove Engine 26 had all of their hose to be repacked. Dan McInerney photo
The fire jumped this bike path to the south and west and threatened the homes visible in the background. Larry Shapiro photo
