Libertyville Cops: 2 Fires, 2 Arson Attempts May Be Linked
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. (STMW) -- Police believe two fires that did major damage to three homes and two separate attempted arsons in the historic district of north suburban Libertyville on Thursday night are linked.
The fires occurred within a quarter-mile of one another and caused damage to three homes. Also Thursday, two attempted arsons occurred in unsecured garages in the area, according to Libertyville Police Lt. Scott Fabbri.
"They tried to start a fire,'' according to Fabbri, who said minor damage was done and police are in the process of analyzing evidence.
One attempted arson was reported in the 300 block of Laurel Avenue and the other in the 200 block of Homewood Avenue, according to Fabbri. They are believed to be connected to two fires the same day, he said.
At 2:56 a.m., firefighters responded to a house fire at 226 Homewood Ave., where flames had burned through the roof at the rear of the building, said Libertyville Asst. Chief Mike Cloe.
The fire, which started in a breezeway connecting the house to a garage, was brought under control at 3:18 a.m., Cloe said. No one was injured, and damage is estimated at $150,000, he said.
Less than an hour later, crews responded at 4:04 a.m. to a blaze a few blocks away in a detached garage behind at a home at 234 W. Cook Ave., Cloe said.
Fire crews from 11 fire departments responded and brought it under control by 5:30 a.m., Cloe said. The fire also spread to the home immediately west of the garage, causing extensive damage to that home's interior and exterior.
The garage was a "total loss," Cloe said. No injuries were reported and an estimate of the damage was not available, he said.
All incidents occurred in the Heritage District, or the historic area east of Libertyville High School in the downtown area. Police will be increasing neighborhood patrols in the area.
Fabbri said no arrests had been made as of 3 p.m. Friday.
