Lake Forest mansion destroyed by fire

More on Lake Forest’s fire yesterday from Larry Shapiro:

Larry Shapiro photo

I got to the fire shortly after it was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm. The roof was already in and the bulk of the fire had been knocked down. Knollwood’s quint was woking in the driveway and they were getting water to Countryside’s tower. Departments represented were:

with engines – Waukegan, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Beach Park, Newport Township, Lake Villa, and Grayslake

with trucks – Knollwood, Countryside, Lake Forest, Wauconda and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods

with squads – Deerfield-Bannockburn and Gurnee

with ambulances – Lake Forest, North Chicago, Long Grove, Wheeling, and Highland Park

with chiefs – Lake Forest, Highland Park, Countryside, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, North Chicago

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Seagrave fire engine at night fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

From the Chicago Tribune:

Lake Forest firefighters battled a massive blaze that destroyed a Lake Forest mansion early today.

Eric Kositzki, a Lake Forest firefighter, said the blaze in the 1100 block of Keswick Drive started just after midnight, and firefighters finally put out the fire around 4:30 a.m.

Firefighters said the house was a complete loss.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Montanello said officials are unsure what caused the fire, but do not suspect foul play.

Right now, officials are estimating the damage, and Montanello said he predicts it’s at least $1 million. Officials might not know for a few days the cause or the cost, he said.

The blaze took firefighters at least an hour to control as the roof and second floor were fully engulfed in flames, he said.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

According to Lake County records, the house is valued at about $1.9 million, and records also show the home sold in 2008 for more than $2 million.

thanks Dan