Lake Forest Firefighters Extinguish Overnight Commercial Fire

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest firefighters responded early Thursday to a commercial fire alarm, where crews found smoke, a burning odor and an active fire that extended into the building.

The Lake Forest Fire Department reported it was dispatched at about 12:45 a.m. for a commercial fire alarm near the intersection of North Western Avenue and Illinois Road. When firefighters arrived, audible alarms and strobes were activated, and there was a burning odor nearby. Firefighters then located a smoking dumpster on the east side of the building and quickly extinguished the fire inside the container.

While crews continued evaluating the building, they observed smoke coming from the alleyway of the building and upgraded the fire department response. Firefighters entered the building and found the sprinkler system activated and a fire still burning inside.

Firefighters extinguished that fire and then conducted overhaul operations to make sure it was fully contained. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System alarm was activated to bring in additional fire investigation resources as crews worked the scene.

The fire department said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Lake Forest was assisted at the scene by the Lake Bluff, Waukegan and Buffalo Grove fire departments.