Highland Park firefighters were dispatched for a house fire on Churchill Lane near Kipling Lane on the northwest side of town after 1AM Wednesday (4/18/18). Police officers arriving first confirmed a fire at 2088 Churchill Lane. Fire companies arrived and reported a two-story house that was fully involved. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 for the working fire which had been burning for some time. Within minutes the roof was in and a two-story portico over the driveway also collapsed. 

Firefighters were unable to enter the main living area of the house to conduct a primary search due to the volume of fire and defensive operations were initiated. The whereabouts of the home’s occupants could not be established. Neighbors reported that the two residents were believed to be hoarders.

Highland Park Squad 33, Engine 32, Engine 34, Ambulance 32, Ambulance 33, Battalion 33, and 3300 were at the scene in addition to engines from Lake Forest and Knollwood, trucks from Deerfield, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, and Wilmette plus Northfield Squad 29 and Deerfield Battalion 20. North Chicago, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, and Countryside were due with ambulances.

A Box Alarm was later requested fro fire investigators. The address was corrected to 2088 Kipling Lane.

As of 10AM, the fire department reported that they recovered two bodies in the rubble.

Larry Shapiro photo

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