CHILLICOTHE (WEEK) — A 21-year-old HVAC worker helping to install a new furnace in a Peoria County home is at OSF with serious burns after a propane explosion while lighting the pilot light of a furnace.
“There were reports of flames 75 feet in the air. Numerous explosions, even after we got on scene there were still numerous explosions,” said Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District Chief Marvin Roderick.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to the 13000 block of Ivy Lake Road for a propane explosion and were notified the basement was on fire.
“I responded immediately and it was through the roof, completely involved, numerous explosions. There was no way we were going to save it. [..] At a certain point, our main thing was protecting our people because we had a lack of water and multiple explosions,” said Roderick.
The two occupants of the home were upstairs at the time and were uninjured.
A second HVAC worker was outside and also uninjured.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office says the house appears to be a total loss.
Dunlap and Chillicothe fire departments responded. “Our third apparatus got stuck on the hill. So we had a hard time getting water supply up there. Of course there’s no hydrants,” explained Roderick citing the icy road conditions in the rural area.
Chief Roderick said the condition of the burn victim was unknown but that it was considered to be serious.
