RACINE, Wis. — The Racine Fire Department responded to an explosion and fire in a side-by-side duplex on Gilson Street on Tuesday evening.
According to the fire department, the explosion demolished the structure, and the ensuing fire consumed most of the western portion of the duplex.
TMJ4's Tahleel Mohieldin spoke with neighbors Christie Wozniak and Caeden Gorelik, who reported hearing a loud bang and their houses shaking.
"I looked outside my front window and I saw flames and black smoke and cops surrounding my neighborhood," Wozniak said. "It was scary."
Gorelik said the surprising sound was followed by his electricity flickering. When he ran upstairs to find out what was going on, he found a police officer at his door.
“There’s a cop banging at my door. He’s just basically, 'Are you at the house? Are you alone? I’m alone. Got any pets? Nope. These your cars? Yep. Move the cars. That’s it. Get your stuff in 30 seconds and get out,'" Gorelik recalled.
Two victims escaped the explosion and were transported first to Ascension All Saints Healthcare Racine and then to Milwaukee for further care.
Gorelik and Wozniak shared their well wishes for the two neighbors who were injured in the explosion.
“I hope they’re OK because they’re just down-to-earth, wonderful people," Gorelik said. "I hope the best for their health.”
Due to the explosion and resulting structural damage, the fire department said they were unable to enter the building to extinguish the fire and operated in a defensive strategy throughout the incident.
As a result, personnel were on scene for almost five hours fighting the fire and ice-covered conditions in single-digit temperatures, with the entire on-duty Racine Fire Department responding to the explosion.
The explosion and fire displaced residents in a couple of nearby homes. The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced residents.
The Racine Police Department assisted with traffic control and overnight scene security. The Racine Fire Bell’s assisted with rehabilitation for the personnel on scene.
WE-Energies secured both the electric and natural gas utilities, and the Racine Water Utility assisted with fire hydrants in the frigid weather, according to a release.
Watch: What we know about a home explosion in Racine near Drexel and Gilson
The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation.
The fire department said it caused $200,000 in damage to the duplex, and an unknown amount of damage to surrounding homes and buildings.
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