Share and Follow
In Oswego, Illinois, firefighters were called to action Thursday evening following a significant house explosion that led to a large blaze. The incident took place in a residential area, sending shockwaves through the community.
Authorities suspect a gas leak might have triggered the explosion, which resulted in the extensive fire. The blast was powerful enough to be felt by nearby residents, according to officials.
The occupants of the affected home have not yet been located, as confirmed by Oswego fire officials, raising concerns about their safety.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Footage captured by Chopper 7 showed the scene of destruction around 5 p.m. on the 200 block of Fox Chase Drive, directly across from Fox Chase Elementary School. The house appeared to be largely decimated by the explosion.
In response to the unfolding situation, Oswego police announced the closure of several streets surrounding the fire to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations.
SEE ALSO | Aurora man charged with stabbing ex-wife to death, home invasion in Oswego, police say
In an update late Thursday, fire officials told ABC7 that two people inside the house remained unaccounted for following the explosion and fire.
Neighbors said right before the fire broke out, they heard what sounded like a loud boom. Then they felt their homes shake before seeing a large plume of smoke and fire.
“It was a two-story house, currently all that is standing is the front portion of the garage,” Oswego Fire Chief Joshua Flanders said.
Multiple fire crews battling the flames in the frigid cold into the evening hours.
“We’re bringing in heavy equipment to pull pieces of the house apart so that we can finish extinguishing the fire,” Flanders said. “When we arrived, we found a two-story house that was fully involved in fire and large portions of it collapsed.”
Oswego’s fire chief says fire investigators from Oswego, neighboring communities, the state fire marshal’s office and ATF will be assisting in the investigation.
The chief said Nicor shut off the gas to the home.
While there was minor damage to the two neighboring homes, fire officials say there is no danger to other homes in the area.
No further information was available.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
