The Romeoville Fire Department was responding to an "explosion" and structure fire at the intersection of Strawflower Court and Wespark Boulevard in Romeoville, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Fire officials said two Nicor workers were injured in the blaze but no residents were home at the time.
“We did have two injuries, one serious, one minor, the two Nicor workers and everybody’s been evacuated in the surrounding townhouse complexes,” said Romeoville Fire Department Batallion Chief Bill Murray.
Nicor acknowledged the explosion on Twitter.
"We received a call after 7:30 p.m. about an explosion at Strawflower Ct. in Romeoville." Nicor tweeted about 9:10 p.m. "We are assisting authorities w/ the investigation."
Neighbors in the area described a loud explosion and shaking homes.
“We felt the house shake,” said witness Azariah Rush. “I ran outside and I saw the whole thing collapse.
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“I heard the explosion," said Rich Kleifgen, also a witness. “I felt my house shake a little bit so I immediately—I had a bad feeling— came out here, cause I knew these workers were out here, I could see this area from my house, so I had a bad suspicion of what had happened.”
A Romeoville police official said this is the second time an explosion has occurred at the same building.
“I believe it was around 1996 there was a large explosion at that same home,” said Mark Turvey, of the Romeoville Police Department. “It was actually a larger explosion back in that time.”
