A morning explosion at a home in Dixon, Illinois, seriously injured one man and forced hundreds of Chateau Estates residents to leave while crews checked elevated gas levels in the area.
Firefighters were called around 6 a.m. Monday to the 1500 block of Estates Road after reports of a structure fire following an explosion, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Crews found heavy structural damage and fire when they arrived. Firefighters quickly put out the flames, but the emergency spread beyond the damaged home.
For residents in any neighborhood, mobile home park, or manufactured-home community, a gas emergency can move quickly from one address to an entire block. Utilities, roads, nearby homes, shelters, and return times can all become part of the response.
One Resident Was Flown To A Hospital
ABC7 reported that one resident was found outside the home with burns to his face and legs. Emergency crews treated him at the scene before he was flown to a hospital in Rockford for additional care.
WIFR reported that the cause of the explosion remained under investigation.
Elevated Gas Levels Forced A Wider Evacuation
Emergency personnel evacuated the entire Chateau Estates community after elevated gas levels were detected in the immediate area, according to WIFR.
KWQC reported that the evacuation involved about 106 homes and an estimated 300 to 400 residents.
Reagan Middle School opened as an emergency shelter, and about 50 displaced residents used it while crews continued safety checks.
Residents Returned, But Gas Service Stayed Off
Officials allowed residents to return around 5 p.m., and Anchor Road reopened, according to KWQC.
Natural gas service was not available Monday night. Officials said Nicor Gas planned additional testing Tuesday morning and would notify residents when service could be restored.
Gas Odors Need A Fast Exit
Nicor Gas advises anyone who suspects a natural gas leak to leave the area and call Nicor Gas and 911 from a safe place.
The company also warns people to avoid possible ignition sources, including cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches, and landline phones near the suspected leak.
In Dixon, officials cleared the community first, kept gas service off overnight, and planned more testing before restoration. For homeowners and residents, that is the safest order in a suspected gas emergency: leave, report it, stay out, and wait for emergency or utility crews to say it is safe.