Fire, Explosions Rattle Peoria Neighborhood
By: WMBD/WYZZ TV Newsroom
Updated: October 18, 2012
PEORIA- A large fire and multiple explosions leave a Peoria home destroyed and a woman in the hospital.
It happened in the 1300 block of Bourland just after 8 a.m.
An elderly woman escaped the burning home.
She was taken to the hospital with burns.
Extremely heavy smoke and flames soon took over the house.
Neighbors say they heard two explosions.
Firefighters say an oxygen tank exploded when they were inside.
They were all pulled out of the building when a second tank exploded.
Crews found four oxygen tanks inside the home.
Surrounding homes were also evacuated.
Neighbors say it all happened so fast, they were worried people were still trapped inside.
"It blew up two times before I could get out of my house, says neighbor Vanetta Watson. So, all I had time to do was grab something to put on and get out. I was still worried if the girl had her kids in there or not, so, I don't know."
Battalion Chief Kent Seiler says, "It's always a risk. We don't know if there's oxygen, how bad the fire has burned, but, due to our training and crews expertise, everyone there did a fabulous job, knowing how far in they can go. Once the explosions happened, they already knew it was time for them to get out."
The home is a total loss.
Firefighters say if you have oxygen in your home, to store it in the safest place possible.
It's also helpful to post a notice on the door, showing someone inside is using oxygen.
It happened in the 1300 block of Bourland just after 8 a.m.
An elderly woman escaped the burning home.
She was taken to the hospital with burns.
Extremely heavy smoke and flames soon took over the house.
Neighbors say they heard two explosions.
Firefighters say an oxygen tank exploded when they were inside.
They were all pulled out of the building when a second tank exploded.
Crews found four oxygen tanks inside the home.
Surrounding homes were also evacuated.
Neighbors say it all happened so fast, they were worried people were still trapped inside.
"It blew up two times before I could get out of my house, says neighbor Vanetta Watson. So, all I had time to do was grab something to put on and get out. I was still worried if the girl had her kids in there or not, so, I don't know."
Battalion Chief Kent Seiler says, "It's always a risk. We don't know if there's oxygen, how bad the fire has burned, but, due to our training and crews expertise, everyone there did a fabulous job, knowing how far in they can go. Once the explosions happened, they already knew it was time for them to get out."
The home is a total loss.
Firefighters say if you have oxygen in your home, to store it in the safest place possible.
It's also helpful to post a notice on the door, showing someone inside is using oxygen.
