Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Authorities have confirmed that a gasoline leak into the water system caused a major explosion and fire at a condominium complex in south suburban Willowbrook. The incident occurred on Friday morning, prompting emergency crews from over ten fire departments to rush to the scene.
The Knolls Condominium complex on Knoll Wood Road in the 6100 block was the epicenter of the disaster. Tri-State Fire Protection District officials believe the gasoline originated from a Speedway gas station in neighboring Westmont. They reported that gasoline is still flowing through the sewer system from Westmont to a water reclamation plant eight miles east, creating a serious hazard.
Firefighters are currently working to flush out the water system and open up the sewers to release the dangerous fumes. So far, there have been at least ten explosions due to the gasoline leak, but no serious injuries have been reported. One resident managed to pull a woman out of the building as police and firefighters arrived. She was taken to Loyola Hospital for treatment and is expected to recover fully.
"The fire department has determined that either gasoline or another flammable chemical entered the sanitary system," said Willowbrook Fire Chief Robert Pavelchik. "We're working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency and local sanitation authorities to address the issue."
Residents in the area are being advised to open windows and doors if they detect a gasoline smell, turn off all ignition sources, and call 911 immediately. However, they are allowed to use their appliances once the situation is under control.
At the condo building, all electric and gas ignition sources were shut off, and residents were evacuated. The first signs of trouble came late Thursday night when people began reporting a strong gas odor. One resident, Christopher Simmons, described the situation: “We had to sleep in the front room because our master bedroom bathroom smelled like gas all night. I could smell it everywhere.â€
Simmons expressed frustration with the initial response. “They just turned off the alarm and left. I think they could have done more than that,†he said. The American Red Cross has been contacted to assist displaced residents, who will not be allowed to return until the source of the explosion is identified and fixed.
In addition to the main incident, firefighters responded to a separate fire on Friday afternoon in the 300 block of 63rd Street. A dog was successfully rescued from the smoke-filled home, and no one was injured in that incident.
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