Investigators have deemed the death of two males found dead outside a home on fire in Highland Park as suspicious and under investigation.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said the two adult male victims who are believed to be related were discovered deceased from suspicious injuries outside of a home on fire in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West in Highland Park early Wednesday morning.
Covelli later added the fire itself is also deemed suspicious and the incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the Highland Park Police, and other agencies.
Authorities said early Wednesday the Highland Park Police Department and Highland Park Fire Department responded around 3:50 a.m. Wednesday to the 1700 block of Park Avenue West for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived at 3:55 a.m. and found heavy fire conditions coming from the house, which was located further back from the road, according to a statement from the City of Highland Park.
Crews were evaluating the fire when two people were discovered dead in the front yard of the home, authorities said.
Crews entered the home to search for additional victims, authorities said, but no additional victims were located.
Both of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said, and firefighters extinguished the fire.
The Highland Park Police requested assistance from the major crimes task force because of the victim’s injuries, Covelli said in the news release.
In addition, fire and police investigators from the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service arrived at the scene.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene, and autopsies on the victims are underway.
Both the fire and death investigations remain active, and additional information will be released as it is available.
The Glencoe, Lincolnshore-Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Northbrook, Northfield, and Long Grove fire departments responded to assist the Highland Park Fire Department.
The property appeared to be for sale because a real estate sign was in front of the home.
Park Avenue West between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue was shut down during the investigation.
Based on preliminary information gathered thus far, this incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known threat to the community.