Boy, 4, Killed In Fire; 'We Stand Together In Support Of All Impacted': Village

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Coroner's Office has identified the 4-year-old who died early Monday in a house fire in Mundelein.

Christopher Alfaro-Rodriguez, 4, died from smoke inhalation, according to preliminary results from his autopsy.

The young boy was found in the home in the 200 block of Dalton Avenue following a fire that broke out shortly after midnight on Monday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the coroner's office.

Two other people inside the home were able to get out safely, but despite efforts, were not able to get back in to save the child, according to media reports

"There were people in the house that tried to make access into the structure but could not due to the amount of fire and smoke," Deputy Chief Jeremy Lockwood said.

By the time firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames, according to WGN-TV. The child was found in the basement of the home.

Venkat Murali, a neighbor to the home on Dalton Avenue, was watching TV when the fire broke out, the Daily Herald is reporting. He went outside with other neighbors to see what was going on and saw someone go into the home before firefighters arrived.

“They’re great people and it’s really unfortunate,” he said. “Everyone is visibly shaken up around here.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the home has been deemed uninhabitable.

Following the blaze, village officials in Mundelein extended their "deepest condolences" to those "affected by this devastating loss."

The full statement, posted on the village's Facebook page, read:

The village is deeply saddened by the tragic house fire that occurred last evening which resulted in loss of such a young life. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this devastating loss and we extend our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time. The Village would like to thank all our first responders who worked tirelessly at the scene, their professionalism and dedication is deeply appreciated. As a community, we stand together in support of all those impacted and ask that the public to keep them in their thoughts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.