Coroner: No violence to Barrington man who died in fire

Authorities are investigating the cause of an early morning fire in Barrington that left a man dead Friday.

Richard Sowa, 52, lived alone in a duplex on the 400 block of June Terrace where a fire was reported by a neighbor at 6:06 a.m., said Barrington Assistant Fire Chief Christian Toussaint.

Officials said they attempted lifesaving efforts after finding Sowa unconscious, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another neighbor, June Shannon, 43, was awakened by the police with the bad news early Friday. She said she called Sowa’s sister to notify her of the death, in a very difficult conversation.

“He was a wonderful man with a big heart,” said Shannon of her friend and landlord. “He didn’t deserve to die like this.”

She said Sowa was divorced and had two children, with most of his family living in the Chicago area. He had lived in his home for more than 20 years.

After living nearby for more than four years, Shannon said she will miss Sowa’s sense of humor and hearing him laugh. She said she spent a lot of time with him, cooking for him, playing cards and keeping him company.

“I’m going to miss him terribly,” she said. “I was blessed to be in his presence.”

An autopsy conducted Friday afternoon indicated there were no significant signs of trauma or violence to the body, according to Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey.

Examiners did find evidence of heart disease, and it’s believed there were significant carbon dioxide levels in Sowa’s lungs. But further studies on those levels, and toxicology test results, are pending, Yancey said.

Both units in the duplex were heavily damaged, but no one else was injured in the blaze, officials said.

The origin and cause of the fire have not been determined. A report from the Illinois State Fire Marshall is expected in the next few days, Toussaint said.

Barrington Police are also investigating with the assistance of the Major Case Assistance Team. Police Chief Jerry Libit said MCAT gets involved to help when the cause of the fire is unknown, especially if there is a fatality.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek contributed to this report.