Homer Glen House Explosion: Father, Daughter Injured in Gas Explosion

HOMER GLEN, IL — A father and daughter were injured when their house exploded and caught fire after a gas leak Thursday afternoon in Homer Glen.

The house at 14145 S. Parker Road exploded following the leak near 143rd and Parker. Nicor officials were on scene for hours working to isolate and cap the leak, finally capping it at 10:30 p.m., officials said late Thursday. Nearby homes in the area were evacuated while the repair was made, with residents in over a dozen homes not allowed to return even after it was capped, officials said.

The father and daughter burned in the explosion were taken to Silver Cross Hospital. They were later airlifted to a burn unit at Loyola University Medical Hospital. The Village of Homer Glen has established a Go Fund Me Account in their name.

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Some residents noted the smell of gas as early as 2 p.m. Roads nearby were closed as Nicor crews worked to address the leak. Nicor crews, on the scene just before 3 p.m., attempted to isolate the area, but many residents did not leave their homes.

The home exploded around 4:12 p.m. The urgent call to evacuate homes within a half-mile radius came at 4:30 p.m. Northwest Homer Fire Protection District and assisting neighboring crews rotated battling the blaze in brutal temperatures.

Village Hall took in those displaced, and will serve as shelter as long as necessary.

"We're lucky we got out," resident Dolores Wistort told the Chicago Tribune.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Village of Homer Glen at 708-301-0632.

Photo via WGN Traffic SkyCam Twitter