Feb 5, 2009 9:37 pm US/Central
2 Injured In House Explosion, Fire
SAUK VILLAGE, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
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An explosion and fire damaged three homes in south suburban Sauk Village Thursday evening, leaving two people injured and about 15 displaced.
CBS
An explosion and fire damaged three homes in south suburban Sauk Village Thursday evening, leaving two people injured and about 15 displaced.
Maria Corral, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, said her agency was notified that "three homes were destroyed and 15 people were affected" by the incident in Sauk Village.
Emergency crews initially responded to a home fire at 2453 Talandis Avenue about 5:15 p.m., according to a Sauk Village Fire Dept. release. Firefighters found the home fully involved in flames and partially collapsed.
Two people were injured in the fire and a subsequent explosion, but were conscious as they were taken away by ambulance, Sauk Village police Sgt. Jack Evans said. Both were adult residents of the home, he said.
The men were initially taken to St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Dyer, Ind. although one of the men was in the process of being transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood Thursday night, according to the fire department release. The other man was expected to be transferred to Loyola Medical Center Friday morning.
Although there were no other civilian injuries, one firefighter was treated and released at the scene after falling on ice, the release said.
Police and fire officials said the explosion destroyed one home and led to fires that damaged the two adjoining homes.
Nicor representatives were called to the home at 2453 Talandis just after 5:30 p.m., according to spokeswoman Annette Martinez, who said the gas was shut off at 7:30 p.m.
Corral said the Red Cross relief workers were on the scene as of 9:45 p.m., prepared to assist 15 people affected by the blaze. She said food, shelter, hygiene kits and clothing or "whatever else they need" would be available.
As of 10:15 p.m., the investigation into the blaze and explosion had stopped due to "environmental and structure hazards," according to the release. The investigation will resume Friday morning at 8 a.m.
Fire officials said the cause of the explosion is gas in nature, although the exact cause remained under investigation
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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