Fox Lake man killed in car fire identified

FOX LAKE -- The man whose body was found after a car fire in Fox Lake has been identified, authorities said.

About 1:56 p.m. Jan. 28, the Fox Lake Fire Protection District and Fox Lake Police Department responded to the 0-100 block of Scenic Lane for a report of a structure fire, according to a news release.

Officers arrived and found a vehicle on fire in the driveway, with the fire spreading to the home. Once the fire was extinguished, the body of a man was found inside the vehicle, in the driver’s seat, according to the release.

It was determined that the house was a summer home and vacant at the time of the fire, according to the release.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle backed into the driveway and onto the front entryway stairs, where it caught fire. The fire spread to the front of the home, causing significant damage.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene.

The man has been identified as 76-year-old Walter Drogos of Fox Lake. On Jan. 29, an autopsy was conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. While Drogos suffered severe burns, autopsy results are pending toxicology studies, including carbon monoxide testing.

The incident remains under investigation by the Fox Lake Police Department, fire investigators, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.