Gas can found at scene of suspected arson in Campton Township

Investigators are analyzing a gas can found at the scene of a suspected arson fire early Sunday in rural Kane County, police said Monday.

The red metal can contained an "unknown liquid" and was discovered near a set of exterior steps at the abandoned house that burned, near the border of Campton Township and the city of Elgin, according to the sheriff's office.

Assistant St. Charles Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet described the gas can as "suspect" but said it has not been conclusively linked to the fire.

"It could have been something somebody just dumped there," Schelstreet said. "We don't have any suspects, no people of interest, at this time."

Firefighters responded to the one-and-a-half story farmhouse at 40W808 Silver Glen Road at 3:08 a.m. The structure, which was slated for demolition, was fully involved and later determined to be a total loss, officials said.

Authorities initially said the house was in Campton Township, but said Monday the property was annexed into the city of Elgin three years ago.

Schelstreet said there was some confusion over which municipal agencies would handle the fire. The investigation is now being turned over to Elgin, which did not respond to the scene Sunday.

In all, eight fire departments battled the blaze, which left two St. Charles firefighters with minor, "exertion-related" injuries, Schelstreet said. Assisting were fire departments from Batavia, Elburn, Fermilab, Geneva, North Aurora, West Chicago and South Elgin.

The Kane County Arson Task Force is involved in the investigation.