Numerous reports of an explosion heard in the northwest suburbs. About 10:44 p.m. Friday an explosion — that could almost be described as an earthquake, a clap of thunder and a strong gust of wind — shook the northwest and north suburbs in Chicagoland. 9-1-1 centers received hundreds of calls reporting an explosion. One resident in Buffalo Grove thought a car might have crashed into their house. By about 10:51 p.m. word spread to Cook County and southern Lake County firefighters that Countryside firefighters had a “large incident” in northern Long Grove. Then came word that a house exploded in the Royal Melbourne Country Club community at 4773 Trenton Court in Long Grove. The gated golf course/luxury home community is located near Route 83 and Route 22. [The house that was destroyed is apparently just south of the 4773 address.]
Long Grove. IL: Massive house #explosion rocks the area, leaving several homes #damaged & at least one #destroyed. pic.twitter.com/Y08gTIGfOI
— Captured News (@CapturedNews) April 26, 2014
As 9-1-1 center dispatchers and firefighters in northwest Cook County and southern Lake County were starting to realize that the explosion was in Lake County, Countryside firefighters went to work to look for injured victims and extinguish the fire. While neighboring homes shook, the only damage detected in darkness were broken windows, damaged doors and deadbolts, and objects that had fallen off of shelves. Some pieces of wood and insulation from the home that exploded were found up to one-half mile away. The home destroyed was on the Gilmer Road side of the Royal Melbourne Country Club community — the north side.
However, by morning it was discovered that about 50 homes in the area received some type of damage. A house next-door to the blast house showed a garage door crumpled away on a wall that faced away from the blast house.
Countryside firefighters requested a second level box alarm at 4773 Trenton Court at about 10:53 p.m. for a house explosion in the 4700 block of Trenton Court.
There are unconfirmed reports that two people were injured. Also early report is that a female resident at the house had already called the fire department when sparks were seen at a location near the back of the house. She is reported to have escaped the house before the major explosion.
On today’s date at approximately 10:39 PM, the LCSO responded to the area of Trenton Court and Wellington Drive (Royal Melbourne subdivision) in Long Grove, Illinois for a report of a house explosion. When deputies arrived, several homes appeared to be on fire and one home in particular had been leveled. Deputies immediately worked to evacuate affected homes within the area and are attempting to make certain all residents are accounted for. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the explosion may have been caused by a natural gas leak, although further investigation is necessary and on-going. At this time, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. The response and investigation of this incident is fluid and will continue on through the night. We ask that members of the media be patient and we will release further details on this incident as they become available.
— Lake County Sheriff
The house that exploded was located in a cul-de-sac that backs up to the fairway of the golf course (See The Cardinal Satellite View of Home that Exploded at Royal Melbourne in Long Grove). There are early unconfirmed reports that there was a smaller explosion and fire before the major blast that was heard and felt more than ten miles away. Some people may have been injured when they came out to investigate the first smaller blast. Debris is scattered everywhere on the cul-de-sac. Much debris is hanging in trees [MORE VIDEO from ground and drone].
Red map marker indicates house just to the north of the house that exploded.
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I live in Palatine off Lake Cook Road near Deer Park Mall and I heard the explosion. My son was talking with a friend that lives 2 blocks south of Palatine Train Station heard it too.
Live west of Harper College in Hoffman, I heard and felt it. Thought it was a sonic boom.
we felt the blast wave hit the house in wheeling. it was like a sonic boom without the boom. the windows rattled. it was like somebody slammed their car door outside the window, only about ten times as strong.
my neighbors were looking at my house, they probably thought i got droned.