Penske Truck Carrying Propane Tanks Explodes in Suburban Illinois

On May 24, 2025, at approximately 8:40 a.m., a Penske box truck carrying two leaking propane tanks exploded on North Wood Dale Road near Lake Street in Addison, Illinois, a suburb 20 miles west of Chicago. The blast, captured on a resident’s doorbell camera, caused significant damage to four nearby homes, shattered car windshields, and left a debris field spanning one to two blocks. One home was evacuated due to structural damage, with a load-bearing wall pushed 2 to 4 feet inward, raising concerns about potential collapse. The truck’s driver sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized after being seen walking near the vehicle when emergency crews arrived. No other injuries were reported.

The Addison Police Department, alongside the DuPage County Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigated the incident and ruled it an accident caused by the leaking propane tanks. Authorities confirmed no suspicious activity was involved. The explosion led to the closure of Wood Dale Road north of Lake Street, with cleanup efforts extending into Sunday afternoon. Debris included clothing, furniture, and truck parts scattered across the neighborhood.