A 61-year-old Spring Grove man was found dead inside his house after a fire broke out Friday night.
A Saturday autopsy determined Erik K. Whalen-Pedersen, 61, of the 9800 block of Hunters Lane, suffered smoke and soot inhalation, according to the McHenry County coroner’s office. Additional studies, including carbon monoxide levels, are pending, the office said.
Crews were called to a two-story frame house about 5:45 p.m., said Lt. Todd Robel of the Spring Grove Fire Protection District.
“They made entrance to the house and realized it had been burning or possible for some time,’’ said Robel.
Crews found one person deceased on the dining room floor, according to Robel who said the person’s age and gender were not available immediately.
The victim lived there alone and was pronounced dead on the scene. There was evidence a cat also lived there but the pet was found not located, said Robel.
It took firefighters about an hour to extinguish the smoldering blaze and there was no evidence of foul play.
Its cause remains under investigation.
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