Crews Fight Fire After South Side House Explosion
CHICAGO (STNG) ― A recently renovated South Side home fully collapsed Saturday afternoon and crews remain on the scene more than three hours after the initial explosion.
Firefighters responded to a house fire and explosion at 6426 S. Drexel Blvd. about 3:20 p.m. The blaze -- elevated to a still-and-box alarm -- was mostly extinguished by 4:45 p.m. but firefighters were allowing a controlled area on the roof to burn because it will allow easier access, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.
Multiple explosions were heard inside the 2 1⁄2-story house, which appeared to be for sale. Heavy fire then filled the inside of the residence and the back wall of the house was "structurally compromised," Langford said.
The building had completely collapsed as of 7 p.m.
"We are being very careful," Langford said.
Explosions can happen in new or rehabbed homes when people steal copper from the building and the home fills up with gas, according to Langford, who could not confirm this blast involved gas.
"Something blew up," Langford said. "We don't exactly know what it is yet. We are waiting until it's safe enough to go in and investigate."
Multiple smaller blasts were heard while crews were on the scene.
The "beautiful house" was recently renovated and had a large deck surrounding it, Langford said.
No injuries were reported as of 4:45 p.m., but the home had not yet been searched, Langford said.
The residence will have to undergo "major" repairs, if it can be repaired at all, Langford said. Crews will determine the extent of the damage and the cause of the blast after the fire is extinguished and all searches are completed.
CHICAGO (STNG) ― A recently renovated South Side home fully collapsed Saturday afternoon and crews remain on the scene more than three hours after the initial explosion.
Firefighters responded to a house fire and explosion at 6426 S. Drexel Blvd. about 3:20 p.m. The blaze -- elevated to a still-and-box alarm -- was mostly extinguished by 4:45 p.m. but firefighters were allowing a controlled area on the roof to burn because it will allow easier access, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.
Multiple explosions were heard inside the 2 1⁄2-story house, which appeared to be for sale. Heavy fire then filled the inside of the residence and the back wall of the house was "structurally compromised," Langford said.
The building had completely collapsed as of 7 p.m.
"We are being very careful," Langford said.
Explosions can happen in new or rehabbed homes when people steal copper from the building and the home fills up with gas, according to Langford, who could not confirm this blast involved gas.
"Something blew up," Langford said. "We don't exactly know what it is yet. We are waiting until it's safe enough to go in and investigate."
Multiple smaller blasts were heard while crews were on the scene.
The "beautiful house" was recently renovated and had a large deck surrounding it, Langford said.
No injuries were reported as of 4:45 p.m., but the home had not yet been searched, Langford said.
The residence will have to undergo "major" repairs, if it can be repaired at all, Langford said. Crews will determine the extent of the damage and the cause of the blast after the fire is extinguished and all searches are completed.
