No injuries were reported when a massive explosion destroyed a home south of Georgetown tonight (Thursday, March 26, 2020).
The blast around 8:00 p.m. leveled a home which neighbors reported was vacant. The explosion left debris hanging from trees and also blew out windows at a home next door at the south end of Old Dam Road.
People reported they heard the blast as far away as Fairmount and Chrisman, about ten miles from the scene. Georgetown Firefighters called on nearly a half-dozen other departments to help at the scene. They included firefighters from Ridge Farm, Chrisman, Catlin, Westville and Tilton.
Firefighters found flames and a field of debris when they arrived on the scene. Several neighbors were evacuated since the cause of the blast was not immediately known. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation.
Some fire departments reported they had trouble reaching the scene because of heavy traffic from sightseers. They reported they had trouble getting through traffic even though their emergency lights and sirens were activated. And those departments wanted us to remind motorists it is illegal not to yield to emergency vehicles.
