Sacks of Undelivered Mail Found in Burning Chicago-Area Home

PALATINE, Ill. — Firefighters found sacks of undelivered mail in a burning suburban townhouse--the fifth time this year that large quantities of undelivered mail were found in the Chicago area.

Chief David Grupp of the Long Grove Fire Protection District said one sack fell in a closet and struck a firefighter on the leg.

“They found more sacks in three or four other closets, but I can’t tell you how much there was, total,” Grupp said.

Grupp said the fire Saturday was apparently started by a 5-year-old girl playing with a cigarette lighter. No one was hurt. Grupp did not know if the residents worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Postal inspectors were notified of the discovery.