Construction Equipment Fire Fueled By Rupture In Natural Gas Main: Oswego FD

OSWEGO, IL — Construction equipment caught fire Friday morning after a gas main broke in a field near Wolf Road and Fifth Street in Oswego, officials said.

A second excavator began burning while firefighters were en route at 10:30 a.m. after receiving a call about construction equipment ablaze, Chief Josh Flanders wrote in a news release. Once there, crews discovered the fire was being fueled by a ruptured natural gas line.

"Firefighters worked quickly to secure the area and protect nearby exposures while requesting the assistance of NICOR Gas," read the release.

A construction vehicle hit a gas main, starting the fire, police said in a Facebook post at 11 a.m.

As of 5 p.m., the fire continues burning, and Nicor crews are digging to clamp off the affected gas line. There is no immediate hazard to the public, Flanders said.

Police spokesperson Cathy Nevara told Patch that both directions of Wolf Road between Secretariat Lane and Roth Road are closed Friday afternoon and likely won't reopen until at least 6 p.m. Flanders said multiple agencies are on the scene and are expected to remain for several hours.

Police are asking drivers and passersby to stay away from the area, adding that several drivers have reported driving "in an unsafe manner in an attempt to film the scene." Officers warned they'll be monitoring the area and issuing distracted driving tickets, which come with a $164 fee.

"Please avoid the area and find an alternate route," officials said. "We will advise when the road is back open."