Police: Round Lake Park fire may have been set by intruder

A Thursday morning fire that destroyed a Round Lake Park house and injured one resident may have been set by an intruder, police said.

A neighbor on the 500 block of East Indian Trail, northwest of Hainesville Road and Washington Street, called 911 at 10:04 a.m. to report smoke and flames inside the ranch house.

The home's occupant told police he left for 15 minutes and returned home to find a man in the breezeway that connects the home's garage to the house, police said in a news release. The intruder left through the rear of the house and joined two other individuals, all of whom fled south from the scene, the resident said.

When the resident entered the breezeway, he discovered it was on fire. He rescued a dog from the home and was later taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with nonlife-threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported, according to Bill Rohrs, battalion chief.

"There was concern for dogs, but both dogs were out," he said.

Rohrs said it was too soon to determine a cause or damage estimate. A representative from the state fire marshal's office was at the scene and assisting in the investigation, Rohrs said.

Police said the intruder was described as 6 feet tall and was wearing a dark sweater and blue jeans. The other two people were wearing all black.

The Highland Lake Property Owners Association has set up a fund for the family, who lost everything. People can donate at hlcommunitysite.com/lara-family-fund.html.