Security camera audio from an area near Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights when an explosion occurred near Riley Elementary School, 1209 East Burr Oak Drive in Arlington Heights, Illinois on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 10:14 p.m. (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighter, and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded just after 10:14 p.m. to reports of an explosion near Riley Elementary School, 1209 East Burr Oak Drive in Arlington Heights. A very loud explosion was heard in many locations in Arlington Heights, including as far south as Euclid Avenue.
Arlington Heights Fire Department assigned a “Code 3” response usually designated for structure fires, instead of the usual “Code 2” response for blown transformers. A Buffalo Grove Fire Department tower ladder was also assigned, as is protocol for a “Code 3” response in that area of Arlington Heights.
No damage was discovered, and there was no odor in the area. However, at least one unknown resident had a camera that captured a flash from the explosion (image not provided).
There was a Hydrogen Sulfide odor near Rand Road and Windsor Drive, but there was no initial evidence of an explosion involving a sewer line and Hydrogen Sulfide Wednesday night. Also, there was no Hydrogen Sulfide odor near Riley Elementary School Wednesday night. Sewers involve poorly ventilated spaces. Therefore, dangerous gases, such as flammable Hydrogen Sulfide can accumulate to explosive levels.
Firefighters left the scene within 25 minutes after a quick investigation of the area. Police officers stayed a little longer to investigate, but left the area by 10:50 p.m. There’s a possibility that damage, from whatever the cause, may be discovered during daylight Thursday.
The Village of Arlington Heights did not provide any notification about the response of emergency services investigation into the report of an explosion, and fire department radios are encrypted, so there was no situational awareness for the large number of residents that heard the explosion Wednesday night.
DEVELOPING …
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
IMPORTANT …
Arlington Heights Police Department and Fire Department Dispatch is encrypted and cannot be monitored. Most incidents in Arlington Heights will only be published as breaking news thanks to dedicated and supportive citizens.
No citizens submitted eyewitness reports regarding this incident Wednesday night, May 20, 2026.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN OPTIONS TO SHARE YOUR EYEWITNESS REPORTS TO CARDINAL NEWS AND THE COMMUNITY: FASTEST and FAST
FASTEST: Easy Form – Easier Than Sending an Email
QUICK FORM FOR TIPS, PHOTOS, VIDEOS
FAST: Guided, Detailed Form for Comprehensive, Extra Details
DETAILED GUIDED FORM FOR TIPS, PHOTO, VIDEOS
All submissions are moderated, and may be edited or prohibited if not appropriate. CARDINAL NEWS reserves the right to delay or reject items that may cause security issues or privacy issues.
If you have a comment that you don’t want published, just type DO NOT PUBLISH at the beginning of the title.
For links to these forms and additional forms anytime …
Arlingtoncardinal.com/notifypanel/#enter-main-menu
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
