'Can't imagine there being a house here'; Harristown community shocked by home explosion
Share and Follow


HARRISTOWN, Ill. (WCIA) — A pile of burned rubble and a crumbling garage is what’s left of a home in Harristown. 

The Fire Protection District said the house near South Twin Lakes Road and West Macon Street exploded and caught fire on Saturday. The Macon County Coroner said 72-year-old Hanh Burns was found dead at the scene.

Days later, caution tape surrounds what’s left of her home after multiple agencies worked to handle the scene.

Locals like Bob Yeager heard about the explosion and had to see it for themselves. 

“I just can’t imagine there being a house here, or what it looks like,” Yeager said. 

The decimated home is familiar to Yeager, who grew up in the area. He said his dad had a house at the end of the street. 

“I was up and down this road from 1956 to probably 2000,” he said. “Harristown is a small, little City and [you] kind of know everybody from way back, and we all graduated and went on our way, so I had to see which house it was.”

In all the time he’s lived in the City, he said he can’t remember anything like this ever happening. 

“Nothing, always quiet, peaceful — no problems out here at all,” Yeager said. 

The cause and the origin of the explosion are currently unknown, but are being investigated by the Illinois State Fire Marshal. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Statesboro Food Bank Rallies Community Support with Annual Fundraiser as SNAP Challenges Loom

STATESBORO, Ga — The Statesboro Food Bank, Inc. recently hosted its second…

Revolutionizing Crime Solving: How Science and Tech Empower SLED in South Carolina’s Fight Against Violence

In Columbia, South Carolina, legislators were briefed by the South Carolina Law…

FAA Mandates Flight Reductions at Major Airports: Impacting Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and Beyond

ATLANTA – Starting Friday, travelers across the nation will experience significant shifts…

Florida Bill Proposes Mandatory Washington and Lincoln Portraits in Classrooms

Catch the week’s leading stories from Tampa Bay in the video above.…

Rising Incidents of Fatal Domestic Violence Reported in Illinois

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence has released its…

Unlocking Opportunities: How Florida Universities are Capitalizing on H-1B Visas for Global Talent

In a significant move set for January, state university officials will address…

Illinois Surges Ahead: Ranks Among Top States for Comprehensive Human Trafficking Survivor Legislation

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois has climbed to a leading position in a…

California Woman’s Unique ‘Marry Me’ Billboard Campaign Sparks Nationwide Attention and Overwhelming Responses

A woman from California, determined to find her ideal partner, has sparked…