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Natural gas explosion levels house in Carlinville
The remnants of the residence in the 400 block of North West Street that exploded as a result of a natural gas erupting. Photo/Jeremy Jones
Two people suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of a natural gas explosion that leveled a house about 10:42 a.m., Wednesday, in the 400 block of North West Street in Carlinville.
Illinois State Police Trooper Heath Bryan said a subcontractor for the city of Carlinville struck the natural gas line while digging and Ameren Illinois was immediately notified, but the natural gas line erupted before they were able to shut the line off.
Preliminary reports indicate two people, who have not yet been identified by officials, were inside the house at the time of the blast.
An individual purporting to be a neighbor to the home posted on social media that the injured individuals were “dug out” of the debris, and that two dogs that were in the home also survived.
A first responder on the scene was treated for minor injuries, according to reports.
Carlinville firefighters responded to the scene, along with Dunn’s Ambulance Service, and the Carlinville Police Department, Illinois State Police and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. Girard Fire Department and the Gillespie-Benld Ambulance Service provided mutual aid.
Carlinville firefighters reportedly were called to the home earlier Wednesday morning after a contractor working in the area ruptured a gas line.
Authorities cordoned off the immediate area around the scene while emergency personnel were on the scene. Homes within a two-block radius of the scene were evacuated. The area remained closed to traffic Wednesday afternoon as authorities searched for potential gas leaks in the neighborhood. Traffic was being redirected away from the area.
Ameren-Illinois reported that electrical and natural gas service was shut off to about 16 homes in the neighborhood during the emergency.
A first responder on the scene was treated for minor injuries
“The Illinois State Fire Marshal and ATF have taken control of the scene from the Carlinville Fire Department,” a press release from Trooper Heath Bryan of the Illinois State Police reads. “Ameren Illinois will make sure all residences in the area of the explosion are clear of any residual natural gas prior to owners returning to their houses.”
The American Red Cross is on scene assisting residents who were affected by the incident.
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Another major winter storm is forecasted to blanket the BenGil area in heavy rains, flooding and snowfall starting Wednesday night through Thursday.
The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving them plenty of room to do their jobs.”
The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix of precipitation to start with thunderstorms and heavy rain in much of the state this evening, converting to freezing rain overnight before turning to snow Thursday morning. In addition to localized flooding, ice and sleet accumulations are likely, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions.
Due to the rainy conditions ahead of temperatures falling overnight, the effectiveness of pretreating and salting surfaces in advance of significant snowfall will be limited. The public should anticipate icy conditions even when roads appear clear and greatly reduce speeds.
“As the Illinois State Police plans to take on the unpredictable Illinois weather, we would like to remind motorists to do their part in keeping the roads a safe place,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP, alongside IDOT and other agencies, will be working in hazardous weather conditions. Please remember to slow down, stay vigilant and move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road.”
Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your following distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.
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Police are investigating the death of a Bunker Hill woman who was found dead at the end of her driveway near the roadway on Monday morning, January 31.
Nancy Blycker, 91, had multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane around 7:40 a.m. on Monday.
The initial suspicion was homicide, according to a release by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis who said approximately 20 investigators were working the investigation, but the autopsy contradicted that suspicion.
The Major Case Squad said on Tuesday it is “highly unlikely” Blycker’s death was the “result of homicidal means.”
The Major Case Squad turned the case back over to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death is pending further lab analysis.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area.
The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible power outages.
“All indications continue to point to a disruptive, impactful, and dangerous winter storm impacting the region starting late tonight and lasting through Thursday night,” the National Weather Service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.
The BenGil area is expected to receive heavy mixed precipitation including snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph on Thursday.
The storm is expected to start with rain most of the day today before transitioning into a mixture of freezing rain and/or sleet Tuesday night, then all snow Wednesday morning or as late as Wednesday afternoon continuing until about noon on Thursday.
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