Berwyn explosion destroys gas station at Ogden and Oak Park avenues, fire burns for hours, officials say
Share and Follow

BERWYN, Ill. (WLS) — An explosion and fire destroyed a gas station Thursday in the west suburbs.

Video showed a large emergency response and flames shooting out of a BP gas station located at Ogden and Oak Park avenues in Berwyn.

The fire was finally put out after multiple hours. City officials said crews were already here on the scene before the blast, tending to storm damage when two main gas lines caught fire.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Berwyn police confirmed emergency crews responded to an active fire around 3:42 p.m. in the 6700 block of Ogden Avenue after a thunderstorm blew down powerlines, which ignited two gas lines at the gas station. The police department began to evacuate nearby homes and businesses while the fire department suppressed the flames.

SEE ALSO | Chicago weather: Heat Advisory in effect, Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of area

The gas lines exploded at 3:49 p.m., causing the gas station to collapse, Berwyn police said.

Cellphone video captured the devastation seconds after the explosion.

The force of the blast was so strong that it shattered the windows of Novi’s Beef, a restaurant across the street, and other buildings nearby.

“The roof shot about two-three hundred feet in the air and then it just came down,” Novi’s Beef manager Tom Zednik said. “It just shook us and thank God we have double pane glass, because our windows shattered instantly.”

ABC7 also spoke to one woman over the phone who said she felt her house shake.

Other witnesses also described the scary situation.

“It started off as a small little fire behind the gas station. Everyone got out, that I saw,” witness Michelle Donnamario said. “They were evacuating the house, right there, and then I turned around and went inside then the huge boom. And my neighbors said it looked like a nuke went off.”

Chopper 7 showed multiple blocks surrounding the gas station were closed off to traffic.

“Having it happen a couple of houses away is really scary,” Donnamario said.

There were no reports of any injuries.

“My first thought was, ‘Oh my God, I hope he wasn’t in there. Nobody was in there,” Zednik said.

Emergency crews remained at the scene for hours Thursday evening.

No further information was immediately available.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Damning evidence Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger left behind after murders seen in chilling new photos

Chilling New Photos Reveal Crucial Evidence Left by Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger

WARNING: Graphic content Newly surfaced images reveal crucial evidence left by Bryan…
Surgeon ex-husband accused in Ohio dentist slayings retains lawyer who won prior high-profile murder trial

Ohio Dentist Murder Case: Surgeon Ex-Husband Enlists Acclaimed Lawyer from Previous High-Profile Trial

A surgeon, charged with the fatal shooting of his former spouse and…
JAN MOIR: The ghastly family feuds that all prove one thing

Unraveling Family Feuds: Jan Moir Reveals the Hidden Truths Behind the Drama

Rifts morph into chasms, eventually widening into a gorge of discord. Endless…
Research reveals health impacts of fluoride… as RFK Jr calls for ban

Study Unveils Fluoride’s Health Effects Amid RFK Jr.’s Call for Prohibition

A comprehensive new study has confirmed that the addition of fluoride to…
Gov. Hochul’s ‘back to basics’ call in math instruction is further evidence of State Ed's lack of accountability

Governor Hochul Advocates for ‘Back to Basics’ in Math Education, Highlighting State Education’s Accountability Challenges

Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for a return to fundamental math teaching…
Treadmill recall expands to include about 47,000 units

Urgent Treadmill Recall Alert: Over 47,000 Units Affected – Check If Yours is on the List!

Johnson Health Tech North America has broadened its voluntary recall of Matrix…
Animal activists upset after LA dog is dragged out of apartment by rescuers

Controversy Erupts as LA Dog Rescue Sparks Outrage Among Animal Activists

Outrage has erupted among animal enthusiasts following the release of a video…
US envoys ‌arrive in Moscow for peace talks after Zelensky blasted EU

US Diplomats Touch Down in Moscow for Crucial Peace Negotiations Following Zelensky’s Critique of EU

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have touched down in Moscow…