A late-night explosion tied to a stove rattled the 4500 block of North Lincoln Avenue near Lincoln Square and Ravenswood on Wednesday, leaving one person in critical condition. Chicago Fire Department crews rushed the injured individual to a hospital, and officials said there were no other reported injuries. Authorities have not released the person's age or gender and said the exact cause of the blast remains under investigation.
What officials reported
According to ABC7 Chicago, Chicago Fire Department officials said the explosion happened in a stove and confirmed the victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Investigators were still working to pin down the exact cause, and the station reported that the person's age and gender had not been released. ABC7 characterized the situation as a developing story.
How common stove incidents are
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of reported home fires in the U.S., and ranges or cooktops make up a large share of those incidents. Research from the National Fire Protection Association shows that ranges or cooktops were involved in roughly 53 percent of reported home cooking fires. The NFPA also notes that unattended cooking and appliance malfunctions are frequent triggers for serious kitchen incidents.
Safety steps for residents
If you smell gas or suspect an appliance leak, authorities advise leaving the building immediately, then calling 911 and your gas utility from a safe location. The Illinois Commerce Commission's safety tips recommend avoiding the use of phones or electrical switches while inside a structure that might contain leaked gas, because a spark can ignite it. Utility crews and fire investigators typically examine gas lines and appliances afterward to determine whether a leak or mechanical failure led to a blast like this.
