Dixon Gas Blast Evacuation
Dixon Gas Explosion Evacuates Hundreds at Chateau Estates, One Hospitalized
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Key Points
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Explosion occurred in the 1500 block of Estates Road at Chateau Estates, and one person inside the home was hospitalized at OSF Saint Katherine Medical Center in Dixon.
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Dixon Fire Department is leading incident command for the response, with support from a wide network of agencies including Dixon Rural Fire Department, Sterling Fire Department, Dixon Police Department, Dixon Public Works, Nicor Gas, Reagan Mass Transit District, Advance EMS, Dixon Public Schools and numerous mutual-aid partners.
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An emergency shelter is being established at Reagan Middle School, with Reagan Mass Transit District providing transportation for residents who need assistance and Advance EMS aiding those with disabilities or medical needs; Dixon Public Schools are coordinating shelter efforts.
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Elevated gas levels continued to be reported as of shortly after 9 a.m., prompting the evacuation of all 300–400 residents across about 106 addresses, with Nicor Gas on site monitoring the gas and safety operations.
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Anchor Road is closed between Routes 38 and 52, with authorities asking residents to avoid the area while the scene is managed and investigators determine the cause.
A gas explosion leveled a manufactured home at Chateau Estates in Dixon, Illinois early Monday morning, sending one person to the hospital with significant injuries and forcing 300 to 400 residents out of their homes. NBC Chicago reported that the blast occurred around 6 a.m. in the 1500 block of Estates Road, triggering a large-scale gas emergency across the entire mobile home park.
Elevated gas levels persisted for hours after the explosion, prompting officials to evacuate all 106 addresses in the park. CBS News reported that an emergency shelter was opened at Reagan Middle School to house displaced residents, with buses from the Reagan Mass Transit District ferrying those who needed a ride.
One Hospitalized as Home Is Completely Destroyed
The explosion flattened the home where the victim was found. First responders transported the injured person to OSF Saint Katherine Medical Center in Dixon, CBS News reported. No fatalities have been confirmed as of midday. Officials believe the 6 a.m. timing helped keep casualties low, since fewer residents were outside or near the blast site.
Dixon Fire Chief Ryan Buskohl is leading incident command. He said the top priority is stabilizing gas levels before investigators can safely enter the blast zone. Nicor Gas technicians arrived on scene to monitor air quality, but the company has not yet confirmed whether the leak came from a main line or a private service connection, Audacy reported.
Entire Mobile Home Park Emptied Block by Block
By 9 a.m., Dixon Police confirmed that gas levels remained dangerously high across the park. Authorities ordered a full evacuation of all 300 to 400 residents spread across 106 homes. Advance EMS helped residents with disabilities or medical needs get out safely. Head Topics reported that over 50 fire, police, and EMS personnel from at least seven agencies responded to the scene.
Anchor Road was shut down between Route 38 and Route 52 — a stretch of roughly two miles. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area entirely to allow heavy equipment and emergency vehicles to move freely. The Dixon Rural Fire Department and Sterling Fire Department both sent mutual-aid crews to support the response, KWQC reported.
Residents Report Smelling Gas Days Before the Blast
Some residents sheltering at Reagan Middle School told reporters they had smelled gas for days before the explosion. Nicor Gas has not verified those claims. Public safety analysts told local outlets that the scale of the evacuation — an entire park, not just one block — suggests the leak may involve a compromised underground main rather than a single faulty appliance.
Manufactured home communities like Chateau Estates often use centralized gas distribution systems. These systems can be more vulnerable to aging connectors or ground shifts than standard residential grids. If investigators find that park management ignored warning signs, Chateau Estates could face serious civil liability, according to the investigative briefing reviewed by editors.
Returning Home Could Take Hours — and Require Residents Present
Getting residents back into their homes will not be quick. Under Illinois state law and Nicor safety rules, gas cannot be restored after a major leak until technicians complete a door-to-door check of every address. CBS News reported that Nicor Gas must enter each home individually to relight pilot lights — and a resident must be present for that to happen.
Officials projected that the return process could begin between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, provided gas levels are fully neutralized. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The Dixon Fire Department said more information will be released as it becomes available.
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