Fire officials said one injured person was airlifted after the blast damaged nearby homes.
WONDER LAKE, Ill. — One person was killed and two others were injured Sunday night when a home exploded and caught fire in Wonder Lake, sending firefighters and paramedics to Birch Drive in far northwest McHenry County.
The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District said crews were called about 7:50 p.m. to the 7400 block of Birch Drive after reports of a house explosion. Firefighters arrived to find heavy damage, an active fire and multiple victims. One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were taken to hospitals, including one flown by medical helicopter because of serious injuries.
The blast also damaged two neighboring homes, officials said. Fire crews called a box alarm, bringing additional departments and emergency medical workers to the area. The extra response helped crews fight the fire, treat victims and keep the scene from spreading further. “The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event,” the district said.
Authorities had not released the name of the person who died or the names, ages and conditions of the two injured people by Monday. Officials also had not said whether all three victims lived in the home. The cause of the explosion remained under investigation. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local agencies were involved in the review.
Neighbors described a loud blast and a chaotic scene after the explosion. Some said they first thought a transformer or power line had exploded before seeing flames and debris. By Monday morning, the damaged home had collapsed into rubble, and debris had been thrown into nearby yards. The explosion left residents in the quiet neighborhood shaken as investigators worked around the destroyed structure.
Wonder Lake is a village in McHenry County, northwest of Chicago, with residential streets clustered around the lake and nearby wooded areas. Birch Drive sits near Wonder Lake Road. The blast drew a large emergency response into the neighborhood Sunday evening and left nearby homeowners dealing with damage from fire, force and flying debris.
Investigators were expected to examine the ruins of the home, nearby utility systems and witness accounts as they worked to determine what caused the blast. Officials had not announced any criminal finding or safety determination Monday. The death investigation and fire investigation remained active.
The scene remained under official review Monday, May 18, as authorities worked to identify the person killed, update the conditions of the injured and determine the cause of the explosion.
Author note: Last updated May 18, 2026.