One person is dead and two others were seriously injured when a home exploded in far northwest suburban Wonder Lake. The cause of the blast is under investigation (Noel Brennan/CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Wonder Lake responded about 7:50 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026 to a report of a house explosion and fire in the block of 7400 Birch Drive in Wonder Lake.
According to the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, at approximately 7:50 p.m. Sunday evening, the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District (WLFPD) was dispatched to the 7400 block of Birch Drive for a reported house explosion.
Fire crews arrived on scene in under two minutes and encountered an active structure fire with significant damage and multiple victims. Firefighters immediately initiated both fire suppression operations and emergency medical care for the injured.
Due to the severity of the incident, a MABAS Box Alarm was requested to bring additional fire and EMS resources to the scene. Mutual aid companies assisted with firefighting efforts, patient care, and scene management.
EXTRA ALARMS
MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm on Box #5-1670 activated by 7:55 PM.
MABAS Division 5 EMS Box Alarm on Box #5-1650 activated by 8:02 PM.
MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm (Second Level) on Box #5-1670 activated by 8:51 PM.
Investigator Box
Tragically, one female individual was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District. Two additional patients (a 76 year-old male and a 28 year-old male) were transported to area hospitals, including one who was airlifted by a LifeNet medical helicopter to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood due to the extent of injuries, including burn injuries. The other patient was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry. A couple and an adult son lived in the house.
The explosion and subsequent fire also caused damage to two neighboring residences. The roof of the exploded house landed on the house next door. Crews worked to contain the fire and prevent further extension.
A door flew off the house and landed about 150 feet away. Picture frames were knocked off wall of neighboring homes.
Flames from a gas pipe continued to burn in a stream straight up.
A neighbor posted on Facebook that there was debris, “raining paper on fire and a whole bunch of ashes. A bunch of mortgage papers.”
The cause of the explosion is under active investigation. Investigators from MABAS Division 5, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are jointly conducting the investigation.
The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event.
Additional support was provided by the Wonder Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Woman killed, 2 men seriously injured in McHenry County house explosion, fire (Rob Hughes/ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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