Fire scene on Dalton Avenue in Mundelein after a 4 year-old child was found dead in the basement of the single-story home (CapturedNews/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Mundelein responded about 12:20 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2026 to a report of a house fire in the block of 200 South Dalton Avenue in Mundelein. Neighbors reported the fire.
A 4-year-old boy is reported to have been found deceased after he was reported missing during firefighting operations to extinguish the fire.
An autopsy is scheduled for later on Monday, March 23, 2026, according the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire showing from three sides of the home after family members told firefighters a boy was missing. Firefighters made several attempts to reach him in the basement of the home, but intense flames and smoke, and a compromised floor and stairwell obstructed access to the basement.
A MABAS Division 4 Box Alarm (#43-1R) was activated at 12:31 a.m. Monday.
Firefighter, paramedics and/or command officers from Grayslake, Gurnee, Round Lake (replaced by Waukegan), Lake Bluff, Lake Villa, Countryside, and Libertyville fire departments or fire protection districts were assigned to the scene.
Firefighter, paramedics and/or command officers from Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest, Nunda Rural (?), and Deerfield fire departments or fire protection districts were assigned to stand by at Mundelein fire stations.
The Box Alarm was upgraded to a Level 2 Box Alarm at 1:04 a.m.
Firefighter, paramedics and/or command officers from North Chicago, Long Grove, Wonder Lake, Barrington, Grayslake, and Deerfield were assigned to the scene for Second Alarm level.
The house was rendered uninhabitable and sustained an estimated $400,000 in damage, according to Mundelein Fire Department.
Investigators from a Lake County task force and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal were assigned to the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A MABAS Division 4 Investigators Box Alarm (#43-80) was activated at 1:08 a.m. Wauconda, Lake Forest, Grayslake, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Lake Villa, Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Deerfield, and the Lake County Investigators Task Force were assigned.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal was assigned at about 1:10 a.m.
The Box Alarms were struck out at 2:19 a.m. with investigators continuing work on the scene.
Fire scene on Dalton Avenue in Mundelein after a 4 year-old child was found dead in the basement of the single-story home (CapturedNews/ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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