Garage Fire Damages Townhouses, Electric Vehicle in Waukegan

Multiple residents displaced after blaze in 1500 block of Candlestick Way

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:41am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive plume of thick, billowing smoke rising from a small cluster of townhouses, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural disaster through deep perspective and dramatic lighting.A dramatic landscape painting captures the overwhelming scale and power of a garage fire that damaged multiple townhouses and displaced residents in Waukegan.Waukegan Today

A garage fire in Waukegan, Illinois damaged two townhouse units and an electric vehicle on Saturday evening, displacing multiple residents. No injuries were reported, but the American Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced occupants from two of the affected townhouses.

Why it matters

Garage fires can pose a serious risk to nearby homes and vehicles, especially with the increasing prevalence of electric cars. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and prevention measures in residential areas.

The details

Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming from the garage of the middle unit of a two-story townhouse. The garage fire caused extension into the unit and some roof and soffit areas. Crews worked to extinguish the blaze and remove the electric vehicle from the garage to fully put out the fire. Damage restoration crews and the Waukegan Building Department also responded to the scene.

  • The Waukegan Fire Department responded around 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2026 to the 1500 block of Candlestick Way.

The players

Waukegan Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and investigated the garage fire incident.

Todd Zupec

Waukegan Battalion Fire Chief of Administration who provided details about the fire response and damage.

RESTORE

Damage restoration crews that responded to the scene after the fire.

American Red Cross

Provided assistance to the displaced residents from two of the affected townhouse units.

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What’s next

The Waukegan Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the garage fire.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of fire safety measures, especially with the growing prevalence of electric vehicles in residential areas. The quick response and coordination of local emergency services helped limit the damage and ensure no injuries occurred.