Lake Zurich, Illinois – Fire officials from various counties were called to the scene of a massive fire that erupted late Tuesday in Lake Zurich. The fire, which neighbors said began with an explosion, quickly engulfed a home on Overhill Drive.
Residents in the vicinity reported feeling their houses shake and witnessing pictures falling off walls due to the force of the blast. The incident occurred in the 23500 block of Overhill Drive just after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Multiple fire crews from the Lake Zurich area rushed to the scene with fire trucks and tankers to combat the flames. One neighbor, Brenda Gornick, shared her experience of the blast causing her house to shake, initially mistaking it for a large firework going off nearby.
Images shared on social media revealed the extent of the fire, showing the house completely consumed by flames by 9:00 p.m. Bystanders were pushed back 100 feet from the residence as firefighters battled the blaze. The explosion was described as so intense that it shook the entire neighborhood.
As the fire grew in intensity, the Lake Zurich Fire Department escalated the situation to a third alarm. Fire departments from surrounding counties were also called in to provide assistance.
Authorities from Nicor Gas arrived at the scene to help determine the cause of the explosion. At this point, it remains unclear what led to the blaze and the subsequent explosion, as well as whether anyone was inside the house at the time.
Updates on the situation are expected to be provided by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with a focus on understanding the origins of the explosion and subsequent fire that devastated the neighborhood.