Racine explosion and fire at duplex; neighbors heard loud "boom"

RACINE, Wis. - Racine firefighters responded Tuesday evening, Feb. 18 to an explosion and fire in a side-by-side duplex on Gilson Street.

Explosion and fire

What we know:

The explosion happened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. It demolished the structure – and then fire consumed most of the duplex.  

Two victims escaped the explosion and were taken to Ascension All Saints Healthcare Racine and then to Milwaukee for further care. Officials say the medical conditions of those two people is not known. 

Attacking the fire

What we know:

Due to the explosion and resulting structural damage, firefighters were unable to enter the building to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters were on scene for almost five hours fighting the fire with ice-covered conditions and single-digit temperatures. 

Racine fire, scene near Gilson and Ashland

The entire on-duty Racine Fire Department responded to the explosion. That included four engines, two quints, one truck, three ambulances – and a total of 44 personnel.

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The explosion and fire displaced residents in a couple of nearby homes.  The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced residents.  

Neighbors stunned

What they're saying:

Many people said they heard a loud boom and then came out to see flames. Someone described it as a "volcano."

Racine fire, scene near Gilson and Ashland

Two people who live on the block told FOX6 News they rushed towards the home to pull out their neighbors. They say two adults, a man and his daughter, were inside the home when there was an explosion. 

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"We know a stove was delivered by, we don’t know what company, but they did deliver it and install it, and that’s what the owner, the dad said," said resident Stacie Kraft.

Racine fire, scene near Gilson and Ashland

The woman had to be pulled out of a window.

"She was in a lot of shock and then she couldn’t stand up," said resident Tyler Lau. "She had a scrape to her head and she had some blood coming from her head. Her hair was singed off and shirt was ripped up, in shambles." 

Seeking a cause

What's next:

The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation. It caused $200,000 in damage to the duplex, and an unknown amount of damage to surrounding homes and buildings.