Three people died in an overnight fire fanned by high winds that gutted a two-story home in Zion.
Workers and investigators were still on the scene Wednesday morning in the 2900 block of Enoch Avenue, examining the house, which was extensively charred on the back side. The roof of the house was also severely damaged.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Scott Copen, 58, Gina Copen, 54, and Cristal Copen, 41.
Some relatives of the victims were gathered Wednesday on the sidewalk in front of the home, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape. The relatives declined to comment on the tragedy.
“We’re just trying to process this,” a female relative said.
The Zion Fire-Rescue Department said it was dispatched at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday and firefighters arrived to find the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters were told that as many as five people might be inside the house. One woman occupant was transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities said her condition was not known. A neighbor was also transported to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan for treatment of smoke inhalation.
A neighbor who identified herself only as Carol said she felt what seemed like an explosion at around 11:40 p.m.
“I felt a boom, like a force hit my house,” she said.
She said she went outside and saw large flames engulfing the house.
Fire crews that entered the house found the three victims, brought them outside and attempted to resuscitate them.
Zion firefighters, aided by numerous departments from around Lake County, and some from Wisconsin, fought the fire for four hours, Zion Fire-Rescue said in a media release.
High winds hampered efforts to extinguish the fire, as did a number of voids and difficult-to-reach areas within the roof of the house, firefighters said.
Authorities have not yet determined a cause. The house is likely a total loss, the department said.
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