Suburban Chicago Neighborhood Shocked by Truck Explosion Caused by Leaking Propane, Officials Confirm
Truck explosion caused by propane leak injures driver and damages homes in Addison over holiday weekend.
A suburban Chicago neighborhood was rattled over the holiday weekend when a rental box truck exploded without warning, damaging several homes and injuring the driver. Authorities in Addison, a suburb about 20 miles west of downtown Chicago, said the dramatic incident was caused by a leaking propane tank inside the vehicle.
Emergency crews from the Addison Fire Protection District and Addison Police Department quickly responded to the explosion on Saturday. Upon arrival, they discovered a sprawling debris field but noted there was no active fire at the scene. Video captured by a home’s Ring camera shows the truck traveling through the residential area before erupting in a sudden blast.
“The explosion damaged a few homes in the area, but nobody was injured other than the driver who sustained minor injuries,” stated the Addison Police Department in a public update. One home suffered significant structural damage, forcing authorities to evacuate its residents out of concern for potential collapse.
The Penske box truck had been rented by a customer moving household items, according to the company. In a statement, Penske emphasized its rental agreement prohibits the transport of explosive, flammable, or other hazardous materials in consumer vehicles, and said it will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigation.
Neighbor Angelo Source described the confusion and alarm caused by the explosion. “I thought, ‘Wow, they’re starting early with the fireworks this year, but that one sure seems to have a little extra punch’,” he told local media.
Addison Fire Chief Brock Herion reported that debris from the blast was scattered for about a block around the site. First responders searched the wreckage and located the driver, who was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators have ruled the incident accidental, stressing the importance of properly handling and transporting hazardous materials to prevent similar accidents in the future.
