The idea of leaking propane in a truck can fuel nightmares. However, residents in one Chicago neighborhood weren’t dreaming when a box truck exploded. It erupted in flames, damaging multiple homes and triggering evacuations. 

Propane truck explodes, setting a Chicago neighborhood on fire 

Police officers and other investigators believe that a propane leak caused a box truck to explode in Addison, about 20 miles west of Chicago. The rental truck had a leaking propane tank in the back at the time of the incident. 

Ring camera footage captured the Penske truck traveling down the street and randomly exploding. According to Fox News, it damaged multiple homes, catching them on fire, around 8:40 AM. 

Police officers, the DuPage County Bomb Squad, and Addison firefighters responded to the scene immediately. They discovered a large debris field. 

Materials from yards and homes were spread across the entire block. Homes were evacuated due to structural damage and the risk of collapsing. 

First responders searched through debris to find the truck driver and he was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No one else was injured. 

Neighbors mistook the explosion for Memorial Day fireworks and thought the celebration was beginning early. Also, they could hear pieces of the truck slamming into the pavement and homes. 

The driver rented the box truck to move household belongings. Penske will cooperate fully with any further investigation by law enforcement. 

However, under the Penske rental agreements, flammable or otherwise hazardous materials should not be transported in a consumer rental moving truck. 

Neighbors mistook the explosion for Memorial Day fireworks and thought the celebration was beginning early. Then, they could hear pieces of the truck slamming into the pavement and homes.