Crime & Safety
Gas Buildup Led to Home Explosion: Officials
Insurance companies will check each gas appliance to determine the source of the leak.
An explosion and fire that wiped out a two-story home in the 700 block of Lambeth Lane Monday afternoon were caused by a natural gas buildup in the basement, officials said Thursday.
Investigators also determined that it was not intentional, though the cause for the gas leak has not yet been determined, Sun-Times Media reports.
A water heater or furnace kicking on could have ignited the gas, according to the report. Homeowners Frank and Natalie Klimala, and their five children were uninjured in the incident.
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Insurance providers will inspect all gas appliances, specifically hot water heaters and a new furnace that were in the basement.
"I hope the experts can deduce what transpired,” Joliet Fire Chief Joe Formhals told Sun-Times reporter. “This could take awhile.”
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