Gas Leak Suspected in Cicero, IL, House Explosion, Fire

Feb. 16, 2025
The entire front of the building was blown out and two neighboring structures were damaged, Cicero Fire Chief Jeff Penzkofer said.

An explosion leveled a Cicero house Saturday night.

Cicero Fire Chief Jeff Penzkofer said investigators suspect a gas leak caused the explosion around 5 p.m. in a two-story home.

The entire front of the building was blown out, and some of the bricks landed all the way across the street. At least two neighboring buildings also were damaged in the blast, CBS Chicago reported. 

"Windows across the street got blown out. There's I-beams that got blown out, so it's indicating of a gas explosion," Penzkofer said.

The residents weren't home when the explosion occurred. Their cats perished. 

"We were at the wedding, taking pictures at the end of the ceremony, and my daughter's friend called her. They said there was a fire, and they weren't sure whose house it was. Later, I learned the town was calling. I hadn't looked at my phone or anything," said Pauline Vrettos.

Officials said four of the families displaced are from the corner building in the 5600 block of West 22nd Place. The main entrance and some of the doors to the units were broken. 

 

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.