advertisement

Lincolnshire teen charged in Fourth of July wildfire in Long Grove

An 18-year-old Lincolnshire man has been charged with causing the 18-acre wildfire in Long Grove on the Fourth of July, officials said Friday.

Tyler Cook, of the 0-100 block of Kings Cross Drive, was lighting illegal fireworks in the slough while attending a party on the 3400 block of Hidden Valley Road in Long Grove, Lake County sheriff’s office Chief Wayne Hunter said.

Cook was initially charged with criminal damage to property, Hunter said, but an additional charge of reckless damage of property was added later.

Lake County jail officials said he was released after posting 10 percent of his $5,000 bail Friday.

He could not be reached for comment.

Witnesses at the party told officers about the fireworks and pointed out that Cook was the one igniting them, Hunter said. Cook was taken into custody about 4 p.m. while at the party.

The fire burned from midafternoon to late evening Wednesday, Lincolnshire Fire Chief Fred Kruger said, and firefighters from more than 20 fire departments were on the scene to put out the blaze.

Water had to be transported to the scene by tankers, he said, adding that smoke from the blaze could be seen from as far as downtown Long Grove.

One firefighter was taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington for heat exhaustion, but he was treated and released.

The fire was contained to the slough, and no houses were affected.

Long Grove officials probe cause of slough fire

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.