Sky Lantern Might Have Started Evanston Grass Fire
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A fire at a north suburban beach on Monday may have started from a sky lantern, authorities said.
About 10 p.m., Evanston firefighters responded to a report of a grass fire at Lighthouse Beach, 2611 Sheridan Road, according to the Evanston Fire Department.
Authorities found "several hundred feet of grass on fire" behind homes on Milburn Park, the fire department said.
It wasn't clear how long it took to extinguish the fire, but the fire department said the blaze was not a threat to any homes or any public facilities. No one was injured.
The Fire Prevention Bureau is investigating the cause. An initial report indicates that someone might have released a sky lantern in the area, contributing to the blaze, the fire department said.
Estimate of damage to the beach's dunes — home to some wildlife — was not known on Tuesday.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
