The deaths of two brothers who were found with multiple gunshot wounds are being investigated as homicides after a fire tore through a home early Wednesday in north suburban Highland Park.
About 4 a.m., firefighters from Highland Park and neighboring departments responded to reports of a burning house in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West. Upon arriving on the scene, they found two male adult bodies outside the home with “suspicious injuries,” according to Christopher Covelli, deputy chief of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake County coroner’s office identified them as brothers Marc Austwick, 63, of Lake Forest, and John Austwick, 60, of Mundelein. An autopsy determined they died of multiple gunshot wounds, but the office didn’t release further details.
Officials have not determined what caused the fire, but Covelli said the deaths are being investigated as homicides.
At 11 a.m. — seven hours after first responders arrived — a small crowd of firefighters and police officers remained on the scene, and the house was closed off with yellow police tape. The roof of the one-story house was burned and had collapsed. The left side of the house was mostly undamaged.
City officials were unable to confirm Wednesday whether the house was vacant or occupied at the time of the fire, a Highland Park spokesperson said.
Neighbors said they were stunned when they awoke early Wednesday to find the house ablaze and the heavy police presence on their block.
Tom Stewart, 73, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said he had never seen “anything like it.”
“I’ve figured if it was a routine fire, the fire department would come and take care of it,” Stewart said. “But there’s clearly more involvement [with the police activity].”
Lisa Spathis said she had a “clear view” of the fire from her bedroom window.
“You don’t think that happens here,” said Spathis, 58. “It’s insane.”
Another neighbor, who declined to give his name, said his dogs started barking from the commotion. He called 911 and stayed inside, he said.
“I thought it looked like Mars,” he said, describing the fire. “I remember a red glare.”
A neighbor’s video footage showed firefighters with flashlights circling the house as red and blue emergency lights flickered in the distance. The roof was engulfed in flames, sending clouds of smoke into the sky.
Neighbors described the block as quiet and residential.
But Stewart said he wasn’t concerned about the neighborhood’s safety after the discovery of the bodies. He said he assumed it was an isolated incident.
“There’s no sidewalks. Houses are well set apart,” Stewart said. “We know some neighbors, but there’s a lot of the street we don’t know.”
Neighbors said they did not know the residents of the house well. The house is listed for sale on Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for $549,000.
The homeowner, an older woman, died a few days ago, according to Covelli.
The Highland Park Fire Department is investigating the blaze with the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.
The city of Highland Park did not comment on the cause of the fire. No other victims were found inside or outside the home, police said.
“Based on preliminary information gathered thus far, this incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known threat to the community,” Covelli said in an email.
“I hope I never wake up to that again,” Spathis said. “It’s not expected at 4 a.m.”
