Two people were found dead inside of a house that was fully engulfed in flames early Wednesday morning in Highland Park.
Emergency crews responded at 1:13 a.m. after a neighbor called 911 to report a house fire at 2088 Kipling Lane in Highland Park.
Fire crews arrived and found a two-story home fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters could not enter the home because of the heavy smoke and flames, fire officials said. Highland Park firefighters along with 10 other fire departments worked to extinguish the fire, which was put out around 3 a.m.
Authorities later found the two bodies inside the home.
“Through the collective efforts of Highland Park and neighboring fire departments, we were able to contain the fire. We are appreciative of the swift response and collaboration of all agencies involved and deeply saddened by the loss of life,” Highland Park Fire Chief Larry Amidei said.
An elderly couple reportedly owns the home, the Chicago Tribune reported. Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said that his office was called to the scene around 6 a.m. and autopsies are currently being performed on the victims.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No other homes nearby were damaged by the fire.