Building explosion in Chicago, 9-20-22

Excerpts from cbsnews.com:

An explosion rocked a four-story apartment building on Tuesday morning at around 9 a.m. in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago, located at 5601 W. West End Ave. The blast injured eight people and caused significant damage to the structure and surrounding area.

Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, with ten ambulances dispatched to assist. At least eight individuals were taken to various hospitals. Among them, a man and a woman were transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Three others — two men and a woman — were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. A single female was sent to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, while two men were admitted to Stroger Hospital of Cook County. One of the injured was reportedly across the street at the time of the incident.

To ensure safety, fire crews were brought in to stabilize the building, allowing for a thorough search. The final inspection confirmed that all residents had safely evacuated.

A spokesperson from Peoples Gas stated that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation and that there is currently no indication it was related to gas or their equipment. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Chicago Police Department Bomb Unit also arrived to assist with the investigation.

The explosion occurred on the top floor of the building, on its eastern side. It sent a large amount of debris, including bricks, into the street, damaging at least three vehicles. The roof of one unit collapsed, and several windows were shattered as a result of the blast.

Building records reveal that the structure has had a history of code violations. Since 2010, it has failed 12 inspections. In January 2017 and February 2018, the building received citations for not repairing or replacing faulty smoke detectors. A more recent violation in 2020 involved failing to connect a gas appliance to a proper vent. However, after an administrative hearing in February 2020, a follow-up inspection found that all issues had been resolved.

This incident has raised concerns about the building's safety and maintenance, especially given its repeated violations over the years. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion and are urging residents to stay alert and cooperate with ongoing efforts.

Thanks, Martin

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