According to a report from ABC7, a suspected natural gas explosion in a six-unit Oak Park, Illinois, residential building injured one and displaced 12 others Wednesday afternoon is now under investigation by town officials.
Residents are now allowed to return to the building to check on their possessions.
Oak Park Fire Department crews and town police were dispatched to the 200-block of South Maple Street for a fire with “collapsed sections of wall” Wednesday afternoon. Although officials suspect a natural gas explosion occurred, the cause is still under investigation.
One person was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in serious condition.
One resident, Ethan Colchamiro, was with his daughter when he said they felt the ground start to shake.
Above the building, the walls and windows were visibly blown out. The building’s entryway also showed damage as well as a hole in the roof (possibly made by firefighters). A large debris pile lay on the lawn near to the collapsed walls.
The Illinois state fire marshal is expected to take over the investigation.
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