Siblings in critical condition after rescue from Waukegan fire

A young brother and sister remained in critical condition Thursday, one day after being rescued from a Waukegan house fire when no adult appeared to be at home.

Waukegan Fire Chief Dan Young said the 9-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl suffered from smoke inhalation but had received no burns in the fire.

A neighbor called firefighters to the home on the 3100 block of Concord Lane at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday. The initial call reported hearing children's voices inside the home and raised the possibility of as many as three children being inside.

There were no adults in or at the home when firefighters arrived, Young said.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Young said the origin of the fire was the stairwell between the first floor and the basement.

The children were located near one another in a second-floor bedroom. The house was fully engulfed by smoke when firefighters arrived, Young said.

One child was immediately flown to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. The other was transported first to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan before being moved to Loyola as well.

Neighbors knew of a third, younger sibling and a search of the home was continued for that child as well, Young said. It was later learned that child was at a nearby day care center and out of harm's way.

Waukegan police are also investigating the circumstances of the fire, though no charges have yet been filed as the department works in coordination with the Lake County state's attorney's office, Lt. Edward Fitzgerald said.

He said he could not further detail the focus of the investigation, or what part the apparent absence of adult supervision may be playing in it. Fitzgerald said a determination of charges would likely not come before firefighters had concluded their probe on the cause of the blaze.

Five other fire departments assisted Waukegan in fighting the fire, which was extinguished by 4:35 p.m. Wednesday.

Young said damage has been estimated at $60,000. While fire damage was minimal, smoke damage was extensive and the utilities at the house remain shut off, he said.