1 dead, 2 hurt after Wonder Lake house explodes

One resident of a home that exploded Sunday evening in Wonder Lake has died, and two others have been taken to area hospitals, including one who was flown there because of the extent of their injuries, Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Chief Matt Yegge said.

“The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event,” Yegge said in a prepared statement.

A 76-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were both taken to Loyola University Medical Center with “serious injuries,” according to a McHenry County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The McHenry County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death.

About 7:50 p.m., the fire district was called for a reported house explosion in the 7400 block of Birch Drive. Crews arriving within two minutes of the call found the home on fire and multiple victims, Yegge said in a news release.

Because of the fire’s severity, additional help was called from area fire districts that assisted with firefighting efforts, patient care and scene management, Yegge said.

The explosion and fire also damaged two neighboring homes, he said, adding that crews “worked to contain the fire and prevent further extension.”

The cause of the explosion remains under active investigation. Investigators from the mutual aid division, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are jointly conducting the investigation, Yegge said.

Nicor Gas also sent crews to the scene.

“Ensuring the safety of the public and everyone we serve is our No. 1 value. Nicor Gas has been notified of an incident in … Wonder Lake, where our first responders are on-scene and will remain there to provide support to first responders,” a Nicor Gas spokeswoman said in an email.

Yegge thanked the mutual aid provided by other responding departments, including the Wonder Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

No firefighters were injured, Yegge said.

The home is in the Wonder Center subdivision in unincorporated Wonder Lake. The area is just north of the Wonder Lake Fire District station on the east side of the lake, according to fire officials.