The Romeoville Fire Department responded to the explosion at 7:30 p.m on Tuesday. Firefighters said NICOR employees were in the process of repairing a gas leak at the intersection of Strawford Court and Wespark Boulevard when the explosion occurred.
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Officials said two gas company workers were injured. One of those workers is in critical condition. No one was in the building when the explosion occurred.
Witnesses heard a loud explosion before seeing the building go up in flames on that street corner in the Wespark subdivision.
"It was like a movie, an explosion," said one witness. "I'm just so thankful that my husband and my son are alive because I live right there on the corner of the house."
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Two out of five of the townhome units on Strawford Court were destroyed after the fire. Several units surrounding the explosion were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Emergency personnel secured the scene around midnight and said they would remain at the site throughout the night, setting up a command center at the scene and addressing questions any residents may have.
The Village of Romeoville will be setting up a donation fund for the families on their website.