Possible arson in North Chicago
Authorities were investigating a fire at a one-story house in North Chicago Friday evening as a possible arson.
When firefighting crews arrived to the house on the 1600 block of 16th Street just after 5:30 p.m., they saw flames coming from a basement window, according to Carlos Perez, a firefighter/paramedic with the North Chicago Fire Department.
All of the other windows on the house were boarded up, and a padlock was on the front door, he said.
Inside, authorities discovered several items, including furniture, beds and TVs. No one was home at the time of the fire.
The fire was not particularly large, and crews were able to extinguish it before it reached several tanks and other accelerants in the basement, Perez said. Fire crews left the scene by 7:30 p.m.
It’s unknown exactly what was used to start the fire, Perez said.
North Chicago police confirmed Friday night a fire did occur but did not provide additional information as to the possible arson.