The Associated Press
NORTH PEKIN, Ill.- An explosion and fire at a gas company injured three men Thursday and forced the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses.
“It was loud, and the yellow fireballs - it just went boom, boom, boom,” said John House, whose business is located across the street from the company.
It was not immediately clear what started the fire at the Hicksgas company, which sells propane gas and grills.
The conditions of the three injured men were not immediately known. Two were taken to a burn unit at a nearby hospital.
Officials ordered the evacuation of homes and businesses within half a mile of the business, fire dispatcher Abby Hobbs said.
“They’re being removed from any area that could possibly be a danger zone,” Sheriff Robert Huston said.
No one answered at a company telephone listing.
It was not clear if the injured men worked at the company.