‘Terrifying’ explosion in Woodstock damages 20 buildings, leaves 22 people displaced
A day after an explosion possibly caused by a natural gas leak leveled a home and damaged 19 other structures in Woodstock, officials sifted through the significant debris Tuesday afternoon cordoned off by a green fence. The northwest suburban community is rallying to support families who lost their homes in the blast.
Firefighters responded to complaints of the smell of natural gas in the area of North Tryon Street and Lincoln Street at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from Woodstock fire officials. Firefighters then determined that a contract crew working in the area struck a 2-inch gas main inside a sewer line.
While Nicor Gas assessed the damage, firefighters evacuated the nearby St. Mary Catholic Church and School and advised homeowners to shelter in place. About two hours later, a two-story home in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue exploded, fire officials said, destroying the home and igniting a fire in adjacent buildings.
Rebecca Bosowski said her brother and sister-in-law, Benjamin and Savannah Bosowski, lived at the home that exploded along with their roommate, John Stevens, two dogs and a cat. She said they were at work and found out about the explosion from the Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
“It’s burned to the ground,” Bosowski said. “I don’t even think anything is salvageable. We were there last night pretty late, and (firefighters) were still trying to water it down and make sure everything was OK. And from the looks of it, there’s nothing. Everything they had is totally gone, and they have to start over.”
Bosowski said it’s a “miracle” that both of their dachshunds, named Charlie and Lucy, survived. She said a firefighter was able to grab one of the dogs and a neighbor found the other. Both dogs were severely burned and stayed overnight at an animal hospital in Crystal Lake.
“Their roommate, he has a cat, and so far we haven’t heard anything about it,” Bosowski said. “We’re hoping for the best that it’s running around town somewhere staying safe.”
She said her brother and sister-in-law are still in shock, and they’re staying with her brother’s mom and dad. She said the couple got married about a year ago, and have lived in the house for a year and a half. Bosowski started a GoFundMe page to help them with expenses, adding that clothes, gift cards or furniture donations would be appreciated as well.
Alex Vucha, a spokesperson for the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, said the fire department, Woodstock police and Nicor are investigating the cause of the explosion. He said firefighters worked nearly 24 continuous hours at the scene, extinguishing hot spots and hidden fires, before leaving shortly before noon on Tuesday.
About 20 structures sustained some degree of damage, with two homes and a detached garage considered a complete loss and two other homes structurally uninhabitable, according to Vucha. He said 22 people were displaced. Two firefighters were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, but no other major injuries were reported.
Danielle Gulli, the city’s director of business development, confirmed that a contractor hired by the city for sewer maintenance was on-site working when they “encountered and subsequently struck” a Nicor Gas line inside of a sewer line. Gulli said City Manager Roscoe Stelford and his staff contacted the fire department and police Monday afternoon after receiving reports of a gas leak.
“I have so much respect for the quick response, professionalism and bravery of the Woodstock Fire/Rescue Crews and Woodstock Police Department,” said Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner. “This horrible tragedy shook the downtown community today and thankfully we have not been made aware of any casualties or injuries at this time.”
Allison Erdman Gregoire, a spokesperson for Nicor, said the company’s personnel were on-site helping first responders secure the area and assist local authorities with the investigation.
“As always, the safety of the public and every family we serve is our number one value,” she said.
Emily Kunash owns Next Level Counseling and Wellness, located less than a minute drive from the damaged buildings. She said she was at work on Monday when she noticed a faint smell of gas at about 12:15 p.m., and reported the smell to Nicor. When the explosion went off at about 2:30 p.m., Kunash said she was conducting a virtual therapy appointment in her office with a client.
“It was very loud,” Kunash said. “The whole building shook. Several things that were hanging on the wall fell down and shattered.”
“When I went outside, you could see smoke from the area. It was gray and then quickly turned black — a very heavy black smoke started coming toward us,” Kunash added. “The wind was coming right toward us and ash started falling from the sky. It was clear that there was an active fire.”
The 38-year-old Woodstock resident said the experience was “terrifying,” especially because she “was already on edge” after spending hours worrying about her office building exploding due to the gas smell. Kunash said she was able to return to her office Tuesday, although there is smoke damage in the main part of the building.
American Red Cross volunteers are assisting families affected by the blast, according to regional communications manager Mara Thompson. She said they’re providing health services, disaster mental health counseling and addressing other immediate needs. She said people affected by the explosion can call 800-Red-Cross.
“We will continue to work with the families impacted as they begin the recovery process,” Thompson said.
Masses and scheduled activities were canceled at St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Mary Catholic School on Tuesday, because there’s no electricity and no gas in the buildings, according to Penny Wiegert, the director of communications at the Catholic Diocese of Rockford. She said the school is on remote learning and probably will be for the rest of the week to ensure the building is safe.
Wiegert said three stained glass windows in the church were damaged, and that windows in the school’s gym, cafeteria, boys’ restroom and art room were blown out.
“We’re asking people to continue to pray for the folks whose homes (were damaged), and also for all those working to clean it up and first responders,” she said.
