The family of a man, who died on Mother’s Day after becoming trapped in a house fire near Grayslake, said he helped his disabled mother escape the blaze before trying to rescue their dogs.
The Gurnee Fire Department, Grayslake Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:45 a.m. Sunday to the 17800 block of West Winnebago Drive in unincorporated Grayslake for a report of a structure fire.
Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Steffens said at the scene that crews received reports of a victim trapped inside the house.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived first, but could not enter the home due to heavy smoke, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The 63-year-old homeowner, who was outside the home, told deputies that her adult son, later identified as Thomas Morley, 44, of Grayslake, was still inside and he had been attempting to exit the residence, Covelli said.
Firefighters arrived and quickly searched the building and pulled hose lines to put water on the fire.
“They were able to remove our victim with serious injuries,” Steffens said.
Paramedics transported Morley to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
He was not conscious and not breathing when he was rescued. Morley died at the hospital.
A preliminary autopsy showed that Morley died as a result of inhalation of products of combustion from a fire, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
Toxicology testing, including carbon monoxide testing, is pending.
Steffens said one or two dogs died. There were no other residents besides the mother and her son.
The fire was brought under control 15-20 minutes after crews arrived.
The fire was confined to the bedroom and living room area, but the house was deemed uninhabitable due to heavy smoke and fire damage, Steffens said.
Dave Schlagman, the son-in-law of Phyllis Campbell, who safely escaped the home, said that Campbell’s son woke up to discover the fire.
Morley woke up his mother, who is disabled with only one leg, and helped her exit the burning home, Schlagman said.
Morley went back to save the two dogs but was overcome by smoke before being later found by firefighters.
Campbell has been staying with a friend while she mourns the loss of her son.
Insurance will cover the damage to her home but many other expenses, including funeral arrangements, are not covered.
Schlagman created a GoFundMe account for Campbell which has raised over $6,000.