Explosion and fire at apartment building on Harding Avenue in Des Plaines about 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (Provided video: Wiliam McPartlin). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police and firefighter/paramedics from Des Plaines responded about 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026 to a report of an explosion and fire at an apartment building in the block of 1200 Harding Avenue in Des Plaines. Six people were injured, firefighters and neighbors were involved in rescues residents of the apartment building. A neighbor’s video captured firefighters rescuing one person down one ladder and two people down another ladder.
Ladder rescues (elapsed time 5:12) at Explosion, Extra Alarm Apartment Fire on Harding Ave in Des Plaines about 1am Wednesday, May 6, 2026 YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police officers arrived first and discovered intense fire from the roof of a 3-story apartment building. Firefighters immediately after arrival rescued at least three people by using ground ladders propped up to apartment balconies at the front of the building.
Two neighbors rescued a boy out the back of the building. Another neighbor rescued the badly injured man according to witnesses.
Several witnesses heard an explosion and then saw flames erupt from the building. Initially, there was no information available regarding what caused the explosion. Witnesses reported a man on the third floor was badly injured. One witness reported he was “banged up” and another witness reported he was burned.
The fire department response was elevated to a fire Box Alarm to the first level and an EMS Box Alarm to the second level with firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers assigned from several neighboring communities. Early reports are mixed, but four or five people were transported by paramedics to nearby hospitals, and one person was transported in a personal vehicle.
There were also reports that some people jumped from their balconies.
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