This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Release date 9 July 2025
On June 12, 2025, about 2:05 p.m. local time, a natural gas-fueled explosion and fire destroyed a single-family residence (the accident home) at 14109 Kenneth Court in Crestwood, Illinois.[1] The explosion killed one person, who was in the accident home, and damaged neighboring residences. At the time of the explosion, the weather was clear with winds at 9 mph; the temperature was 81°F with no precipitation. Damage estimates were still being determined at the time of report publication.
Nicor Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Gas Company, provided natural gas service to the accident home and the neighboring residences. Nicor Gas’ distribution system included a 1.25-inch diameter steel main running along the front of the accident home and a 0.5-inch diameter polyethylene service line running from the main to the accident home. [2] The main was installed in 1988 and the service line in 1992. The distribution system was operating about 25 pounds per square inch gauge at the time of the explosion.[3]
The Crestwood Fire Department responded to the explosion and fire about 2:16 p.m. Nicor Gas arrived on the scene about 2:40 p.m. and disconnected and capped the service line about 4:44 p.m. On June 13, 2025, Nicor Gas performed a pressure test of the service line; the service line did not hold pressure, indicating a leak.
After National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators arrived on scene, Nicor Gas performed flow tests on the service line to estimate the size of the leak. Bar hole testing conducted by Nicor Gas confirmed the presence of gas in the ground near the foundation of the accident home. Nicor Gas located and marked underground utilities at the accident site and obtained gas consumption data from the accident home’s gas meter.
While on scene, NTSB investigators:
- examined the accident site;
- secured a section of the service line containing the leak for examination at the NTSB’s Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC;
- reviewed the accident home’s gas consumption data over the past year, which was higher than the neighboring residences;
- requested documentation from Nicor Gas;
- requested communication logs from Nicor Gas and the Crestwood Fire Department; and
- conducted interviews.
The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. Future investigative activity will focus on the physical evidence secured at the accident site, the accident home’s gas consumption records, Nicor Gas’ leak survey policy and leak investigation procedures, and Nicor Gas’ response to residents reporting natural gas odor.
Parties to the investigation include:
- the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
- Nicor Gas,
- the Illinois Commerce Commission,
- the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and
- the Crestwood Fire Department.
[1] All times in this report are local.
[2] A main is a natural gas distribution pipeline that serves as a common supply for more than one service line. Service lines transport gas to customers.
[3] The maximum allowable operating pressure for the distribution system was 28 pounds per square inch gauge.
