August 24, 1951 - August 08, 1995

Daily Herald, June 23, 1995

Cause of fire a mystery as Elgin man fights for life

After a fire left him burned over 75 percent of his body, an Elgin man is fighting for his life.  James C. Schumacher, 43, remained in critical condition Thursday at the burn unit of Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Schumacher was injured after his mobile home at 420 Sadler Ave., in the Rudolph Mobile Home Park, went up in flames Wednesday afternoon.  Elgin fire officials said he also suffered from severe smoke inhalation.

Fire officials said Thursday that investigators could not turn up any definite cause of the fire.

"There's no obvious reason for the fire," said Elgin Fire Marshal Steve Bone.  "We suppose he was possibly smoking in his (living room) chair - the chair was the point of origin.  But there's just no reason for it."

At about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, children playing outside smelled smoke, noticed flames coming out of the front door of the mobile home and had their mother call 911.  Schumacher's home, worth $9,000, was destroyed by the blaze.

Neighbors and friends said they were scared something like this might happen to Schumacher, who lived alone and who, they say, has emotional problems.

"I always feared something like that would happen to him," said neighbor Darlene Berger, whose son used to mow Schumacher's lawn.  "I hope he makes it."

Though Schumacher typically has kept to himself, neighbors say he is a good person.

"He would give the kids money, and the kids would mow his grass," said Dawn Berger, who made the emergency call.  "It's kind of a sad story."