A late afternoon basement explosion ripped through a home in Elgin’s 500 block of West Chicago Street on Wednesday, injuring two people and leaving the house so battered that officials declared it uninhabitable. Five residents were evaluated on scene, and at least two were taken to local hospitals after the blast. Fire crews reported a strong odor of natural gas in the basement but found no active fire when they arrived. An investigation into exactly what went wrong is still underway.
What officials found at the scene
When firefighters pulled up to the house, they found two walls heavily damaged and clear signs that the explosion started in the basement, according to NBC Chicago. Emergency crews reported smoke and the smell of natural gas but did not find an active blaze. Two residents were transported to hospitals, though authorities did not immediately release their conditions.
Injuries, damage and displacement
The Elgin Fire Department says crews were dispatched around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to the 500 block of West Chicago Street, where all five people inside the home had already evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, as reported by the Daily Herald. The Daily Herald reports the house sustained an estimated $150,000 in structural damage and was ruled uninhabitable, forcing the family to seek temporary housing elsewhere.
Construction crew reportedly struck a gas line
Elgin police later said the blast followed an incident in which a construction crew struck a gas line, and Nicor confirmed its personnel were on scene to assist first responders, according to ABC7 Chicago. In a statement quoted by ABC7 Chicago, Nicor said it had been notified about the incident and emphasized that ensuring public safety is its "No. 1 value."
Investigation underway
The Elgin Fire Department’s investigation team is working alongside Nicor to pinpoint the cause of the blast, and officials say the probe remains active, according to NBC Chicago. Authorities have not said whether any citations or charges might follow once the investigation is complete.
Safety reminder
Officials and the utility are also using the incident as a reminder that anyone who smells natural gas should leave the area immediately and call 911 and Nicor’s 24-hour emergency line from a safe location, per Nicor Gas. Residents are urged to avoid using phones, light switches or any device that could create a spark until emergency crews declare the scene safe.
Investigators continue to canvass the neighborhood and say they will release additional details as they become available. This story will be updated as officials share more information.
