Mundelein house explosion kills 1, critically injures 1

MUNDELEIN, Ill. (WLS) -- One person was killed and another was critically injured after a house exploded in the 900-block of Killarney Pass Drive in Mundelein around 12:20 p.m. Friday, Mundelein police and fire officials said.

Between 80 and 90 firefighters battled the large blaze that ensued. Mundelein Police Dep. Chief Don Hansen said there were three men in the home at the time of the explosion.

Neighbors believe them to be a father and his two adult sons, ages 19 and 20. The father was found outside the house buried beneath debris. He is now in critical condition at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

"We knew he had some kind of internal wounds or something, and my daughter saw a piece of aluminum siding in his side or something like that," said Barry Jones, a neighbor.

It's believed the explosions came from a side-rear garage, where one man was found dead. Remarkably, neighbors say one of the brothers emerged unhurt.

"Walking around, like in shock, and he kind of kicked at some rubble," said Carol Schultz, a neighbor.

Mundelein Fire Dept. Chief Tim Sashko said the extra alarm fire began with an explosion in the garage area of the home. Police say they received around 30 calls about the explosion from neighbors in the Loch Lomond subdivision.

"It was big," said neighbor John Vicik. "I had some windows that were blown out. And it was loud, loud. It's amazing how quickly a house gets leveled."

Carol Schultz, who lives in the area, also called about the explosion.

"I looked and saw all the windows flying," she said. "They came out of the casement, were flying in the sky in the front lawn and around. I ran to call 911."

Though the cause of the blast is still undetermined, officials say North Shore Gas had recently been to the home - at least twice in the last few weeks, neighbors say, but the reasons were unclear.

Sashko also said one neighboring home had sustained damage from the explosion, and that one occupant home at the time of the explosion is being interviewed.

One neighbor reported he saw the resident of the damaged home working with a propane tank shortly before the explosions occurred.

Police and fire officials, including the state fire marshal, are investigating the cause of the explosion. North Shore Gas Company says it is working with officials for the investigation.

PHOTOS: House explosion reported in Mundelein