Cleanup underway after explosion, fire destroys Berwyn BP gas station on Ogden Avenue
Share this @internewscast.com

The cleanup efforts have begun in Berwyn, Ill., as investigators look into a large explosion that demolished a gas station and impacted nearby residences and businesses.

Cellphone video captured the devastation mere moments after the gas station exploded.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It happened in the western suburb around 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the 6700-block of Ogden Avenue.

Emergency services were already present in the area addressing multiple downed power lines, a result of the thunderstorms passing through.

That’s when two main gas lines at the gas station ignited.

Berwyn Fire Chief Kris Coniglio explained that a power line striking concrete ignited a gas main beneath an alley, sparking a fire behind the BP and extending to a nearby cleaners about a block away.

Minutes later they exploded without warning, leveling the gas station and damaging nearby homes and businesses.

The force of the blast was so strong that it shattered the windows of Novi’s Beef, a restaurant across the street, and other buildings nearby.

“The roof shot about two-three hundred feet in the air and then it just came down,” Novi’s Beef manager Tom Zednik said. “It just shook us and thank God we have double pane glass, because our windows shattered instantly.”

Other witnesses also described the scary situation.

“It started off as a small little fire behind the gas station. Everyone got out, that I saw,” witness Michelle Donnamario said. “They were evacuating the house, right there, and then I turned around and went inside then the huge boom. And my neighbors said it looked like a nuke went off.”

Ben Ceyer and his workers at his Weimer Machine watched as firefighters contained the two fires while evacuating nearby homes and two employees and a customer from the gas station.

“The thing is God was watching all of us because as far as I know there were no fatalities, there are no injuries,” Ceyer said. “Even though we got hit with the debris, myself, my son and my employees, because we are all out there watching this and nobody got hurt.

It’s expected there’ll be more cleanup Friday as the neighborhood as the investigation into incident continues.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
With no takers yet, White House meets with colleges still weighing an agreement with Trump

White House Seeks College Partners as Trump Agreement Awaits Approval

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Friday, five universities deliberating over President Donald Trump’s…
National Guard intervenes as suspect swings foot-long kitchen knife in violent DC street brawl

National Guard Steps In After Knife-Wielding Suspect Sparks Violent DC Altercation

In Southeast Washington, D.C., a violent altercation erupted on Wednesday night, prompting…
City of Harvey seeks approval from Illinois to be declared 'financially distressed' city, officials speak out, questions raised

Harvey’s Financial Crisis: Illinois City Seeks ‘Distressed’ Status Amid Growing Concerns

In an unexpected twist of events, the City of Harvey, Illinois, is…
Rapper D4vd claimed he 'trained' Celeste Hernandez -- who joked about 'raping kids' in resurfaced Twitch video: 'Delete everything'

Controversial Twitch Past: D4vd’s Connection to Celeste Hernandez’s Shocking Comments Revealed

Recent attention has turned towards rapper D4vd following the discovery of a…
'No Kings' protests to take place across US

Nationwide ‘No Kings’ Demonstrations Set to Sweep Across the US

This marks the third significant demonstration since Donald Trump resumed his presidency,…
Foster Farms expands corn dog recall

Foster Farms Expands Recall: Corn Dogs Pulled from Shelves Nationwide Over Safety Concerns

In a concerning health alert, injuries linked to pieces of wood found…
Jury awards $19M to bystanders wounded by Denver cop in 2022 shooting

Denver Shooting: Jury Grants $19M to Injured Bystanders

Six bystanders who were injured during a police shooting in Denver in…
Remains of last female Hamas hostage and IDF soldier handed over to Israel

Israel Receives Remains of Final Female Hamas Hostage and IDF Soldier

Amb. Waltz: No one will be left behind in Gaza U.S. Ambassador…
Hamas defends executions of Palestinians after Trump issues stern warning to terror group

Hamas Justifies Palestinian Executions Amid Trump’s Strong Warning to the Group

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In a recent interview with Reuters, a senior Hamas…
Israel identifies remains of 10th deceased hostage handed over by Hamas

Israel Confirms Identification of Tenth Deceased Hostage’s Remains Returned by Hamas

In a recent development, Israel confirmed on Saturday that the remains handed…
Mother says alleged stalker who killed her daughter should be tried as an adult

Grieving Mother Demands Adult Trial for Alleged Stalker in Daughter’s Tragic Murder Case

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: A devastating event that, according to one family, was…
ABC7 Chicago Junior Sportscaster Contest

ABC7 Chicago Launches Contest for Aspiring Junior Sportscasters

CHICAGO (WLS) — Have you ever imagined yourself as the voice behind…