Explosion levels Berwyn gas station, forces evacuations amid storm response
Explosion levels Berwyn gas station, forces evacuations amid storm response
An explosion leveled a gas station in Berwyn Thursday afternoon after two main gas lines ignited while crews responded to storm-related power outages, officials said.
BERWYN, Ill. - An explosion leveled a gas station in Berwyn Thursday afternoon after two main gas lines ignited while crews responded to storm-related power outages and downed power lines, officials said.
What we know:
The incident occurred around 3:42 p.m. in the 6700 block of Ogden Avenue, where Berwyn police and fire personnel were responding to downed power lines following a severe thunderstorm.
While assisting with traffic control and securing the scene, two gas lines at the BP Amoco station ignited, authorities said.
Firefighters began battling the flames as police evacuated residents from nearby homes and businesses.
Just seven minutes later, at 3:49 p.m., the gas lines exploded, causing the station's convenience store to collapse and shattering windows in surrounding buildings, according to police.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, extinguishing it at 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal also responded to the scene to investigate.
No injuries were reported.
Aftermath of large blaze near Berwyn gas station
A large blaze near a gas station in Berwyn Thursday afternoon prompted evacuations and a large response from emergency crews.
What they're saying:
Those who live and work in the area of Ogden Avenue and Oak Park Avenue were stunned by the blast.
"It all started with this massive storm," Giovanni Aguirre explained as he looked at the pile of debris across the street.
Aguirre works at Novi's Beef, where the windows were blown out during the explosion.
"My boss was actually standing outside, and he said the roof [of the BP] went up 300 feet in the air," said Tom Zednik, manager, Novi's Beef.
Zednik said the restaurant experienced two power outages before an employee noticed something was wrong.
"One of my employees noticed, she said, 'Hey Tom, I think there's a fire starting,'" Zednik said. "The response was unbelievable, [first responders] were here in like four minutes."
Nearby, employees at La Guadalupana Restaurante hurried to get a table of customers out.
"And I told them go, leave, right away," said Yareli Valencuela, who works at La Guadalupana.
Employees said they weren't expecting what would happen next.
"The big bang came, and it was deafening," Zednik recalled.
"I heard this big boom, it sounded like a bomb," Aguirre shared.
"It was just like something that I've seen in TV and movies," Valencuela said.
Glass was scattered all over the road, and on Thursday night, a City of Berwyn street sweeper was clearing some of the debris.
Neighbors said they even felt the effects in their homes.
"The house shook, like literally shook," said Marina Galindo, who lives about a block away. "I thought maybe a vehicle crashed into our house because that's what it felt like."
Incredibly, those in the gas station convenience store managed to get out in time and no one was hurt.
"My first thought was, 'I hope nobody was in there,'" Zednik said.
"I'm just glad that all workers and everybody, all the people, are safe," Valencuela said.
What's next:
By 9 p.m., a large police and fire presence remained on scene. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as emergency personnel continue their response.
Alongside emergency personnel, crews from Nicor Gas also responded to the explosion.
A spokesperson with Nicor Gas issued the following statement to FOX 32 Chicago:
"Ensuring the safety of the public and every family we serve is our No. 1 value. Company personnel remain on the scene to assist local emergency responders in securing the site."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.