On Friday, February 3, 2006 at 2:10 pm, Lake Bluff firefighters were dispatched for a reported sofa fire with a person trapped at 658 Rockland Avenue.
Lake Bluff engine 4517 arrived first on scene and reported heavy smoke showing, and requested a Code 3 linked to Box Card 45-01.
First in engine companies attempted an interior attack and search, but were unable to make headway due to heavy fire conditions in the living room. After ventilation and exterior operations, firefighters were able to search the living room where they found one deceased occupant.
Shortly after fire fighters gained access Incident Commander and Lake Bluff Deputy Chief Steve Willard requested additional equipment, including a Highwood Quint, a Great Lakes engine and ambulances from Waukegan, North Chicago, and Libertyville. This complemented Code 3 companies which included neighboring departments Lake Forest and Knollwood.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
