A contract crew that was excavating in a neighborhood northwest of downtown Woodstock severed a 2-inch gas line that caused and explosion and fire Monday afternoon, October 9, 2023. The explosion leveled one home, damaged 10 other buildings, and caused multiple fires. No major injuries were reported, and all occupants from the homes have been accounted for, according to the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. Two firefighters were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries.
While the damage is still being assessed, at least 10 structures were damage in the blast, including a church and school. The cause of the explosion is being investigated by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, Woodstock Police Department, and Nicor Gas Company.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded about 12:35 p.m. Monday, October 9, 2023 to reports of the smell of natural gas in the area of North Tryon Street and Lincoln Street in Woodstock. Firefighters arrived a short time later and determined a contract crew working in the area had struck a 2-inch gas main inside a sewer line. Nicor arrived approximately 30 minutes later, and began assessing the damage and hazards. As a precaution, firefighters evacuated a nearby church and advised homeowners to shelter in place until Nicor could mitigate the leak. Tryon Street between Washington Street and West Judd Street had been closed for a natural gas leak in the roadway.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were on the scene of the major gas leak on Tryon Street when a house exploded across the street from St. Mary Catholic Church near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Tryon Street. The explosion occurred about 2:37 p.m. Monday, October 9, 2023. The explosion instantly leveled the home, and subsequently ignited fires in several adjacent structures.
A home in north suburban Woodstock was destroyed in an apparent natural gas explosion Monday afternoon, prompting authorities to urge neighbors to shelter in place (Kris Habermehl/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
As a precaution, firefighters evacuated a nearby church and advised homeowners to shelter in place until Nicor could mitigate the leak. St. Mary Catholic Church was ordered evacuated at least by 1:24 p.m. and surrounding homes had been advised to shelter in place until Nicor could mitigate the leak.
Woodstock Battalion Chief 4 at about 2:37 p.m. reported an explosion and a structural collapse of home across the street from St. Mary Catholic Church. There were multiple other buildings and homes damaged.
Reports of injuries were not initially available (on Monday afternoon).
There was a report of a dog injured that was transported from the scene to a veterinary office.
Please avoid the area of Washington st to Throop st and Washington St to Wicker St in Woodstock for the next several hours due to a critical incident.
— McHenry County Sheriff’s Office
IMAGES from ABC and CBS …
Woodstock fire: House in flames after possible explosion reported https://t.co/5d8fQm1FHC
— ChicagoMediaX (@chicagomediaX) October 9, 2023
One home has been obliterated & a second house is on fire in Woodstock after a powerful explosion at Lincoln Avenue & Tryon Street. No word on injuries yet. Follow developments at https://t.co/vhbRxCcLib pic.twitter.com/4vBJTbm3CA
— Kris Habermehl (@KrisHabermehl) October 9, 2023
Firefighters walk amongst rubble as they work at the scene of a house explosion in Woodstock. A NICOR service truck sits at the curb in front of the ruined home. Companies still have a working fire in the adjacent house on Lincoln Ave. at Tryon St. More at https://t.co/vhbRxCcLib pic.twitter.com/RIFEjFdJ7W
— Kris Habermehl (@KrisHabermehl) October 9, 2023
Kris Habermehl/CBS Chicago reported “one home has been obliterated and a second house is on fire in Woodstock after a powerful explosion at Lincoln Avenue and Tryon Street.”
Firefighters were assigned to secure the perimeter, take an inventory of firefighter members (PAR), and check for injuries and hazards in the neighborhood.
Before the explosion, multiple 9-1-1 callers reported the odor of natural gas, and a caller reported the smell of natural gas as far away as the Benton Street Tap about 2:31 p.m. on Benton Street north of Judd Street. Benton Street Tap is located about 1,000 feet southeast of the gas explosion scene.
+ + + + +
According to the NWS Office at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport …
3:35 PM Winds NW 09 MPH G 20
3:15 PM Winds NW 12 MPH G 20
2:55 PM Winds NW 12 MPH G 24
2:35 PM Winds NW 16 MPH G 24
2:15 PM Winds NW 15 MPH G 24
1:55 PM Winds NW 16 MPH G 29
Wind gusts picked up from the Northwest about 11:15 a.m.
+ + + + +
In an aerial view from a CBS Chicago news helicopter, a NICOR utility pickup truck is visible parked in front of a destroyed building.
Neighbors in the area report ash falling, and an odor of natural gas still in the air. Several people were calling 9-1-1 to report an odor that they wanted investigated. The Woodstock Public Library nearby is closed for the day.
Chopper7 over the scene of a house explosion and fire involving a second house in northwest suburban Woodstock (ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
A MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm #5-40 was activated to a second alarm immediately after the explosion — about 2:41 p.m..
A MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm #5-40 was elevated to a third alarm at about 3:14 p.m.
A MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm #5-40 was elevated to a fourth alarm at about 3:35 p.m.
Firefighters from as far as Buffalo Grove and Boone County were due to the disaster scene on the MABAS fourth Alarm activated at 3:35 p.m.
