Missing Teen Found Safe After Fire Guts Prospect Heights House
Updated 11/3/14 - 9:41 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A teenager who went missing after his family's home burned in northwest suburban Prospect Heights has been found safe.
The 14-year-old boy's family reported him missing after firefighters responded to a blaze in the 1200 block of Stratford Road around 3:45 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the boy's parents and three other children were outside, and said the teenager was nowhere to be found.
Police and firefighters spent several hours checking the remains of the house, and neighboring homes. Around 9:30 a.m., authorities said the boy was found safe at a friend's apartment. He was being interviewed by police before he will be reunited with his family.
Officials have not yet said what appears to have caused the fire, which gutted most of the house.
"The house is demolished inside. The frame still stands. However, there isn't anything but charred particles and pieces inside the house. It's burned very thoroughly," Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer said.
Three police officers were overcome by smoke while assisting at the scene of the fire. One of them, and the mother, reportedly were taken to a hospital.