Oak Park Explosion Causes Wall To Collapse; 1 In Critical Condition

OAK PARK, IL — A fire, likely caused by a gas explosion, severely injured one person and displaced roughly a dozen residents Wednesday from a residential building in Oak Park.

Firefighters responded after 5 p.m. to the blaze in the 200 block of South Maple Avenue, according to Chief Communications Officer Dan Yopchick, who said about 10 other jurisdictions assisted.

A section of wall collapsed and a male victim was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition, Yopchick said. All six units were deemed uninhabitable and the American Red Cross was providing aid.

Authorities — including the state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — were investigating Thursday morning, but it appeared the incident involved a natural gas explosion, according to Yopchick.