Barn fires in Kane, McHenry counties under investigation
From Staff Reports July 25, 2012 12:20PM
Updated: August 27, 2012 11:11AM
WOODSTOCK — The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of area barn fires in recent months, trying to determine if they might have been arsons.
The fires include ones in McHenry County plus others that have been reported in Kane and Boone counties.
Sheriff Keith Nygren said in a press release issued Wednesday that since May 29, there have been six fires in rural areas near Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns.
“In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane County and Boone County have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions,” the sheriff said. “The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with neighboring county, local police and fire departments and the state fire marshal. The investigation to determine cause and origin and possible criminal activity is ongoing.
To date, one fire in the 22500 block of River Road (near Marengo)is deemed to be suspicious in nature.”
Fires being investigated include:
1100 block of North Queen Anne Road, Woodstock. Reported at 7:26 p.m. May 29.
11100 block of Payne Road, Marengo. Reported at 1:32 p.m. June 5.
18400 block of Lincoln Road, Harvard. Reported at 3:10 p.m. June 28.
13900 block of Harmony Road, Marengo. Reported at 10:36 p.m. June 29.
13911 block of Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Reported at 10:06 p.m. July 10.
22500 block of River Road, Marengo. Reported at 11:25 a.m. July 23.
“The sheriff’s office wants to make sure that the rural farming community is aware of this information,” Nygren said. “We encourage suspicious activities to be reported immediately and appreciate the support from our community.”
Nygren asked that anyone with information regarding this investigation contact either the McHenry County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-762-STOP (7867), the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 815-338-2144, or the tip line email address: TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us.
Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offender or offenders. Crimestoppers does not use caller ID.
