Damage claims have been submitted, the site has been thoroughly inspected, and properties released to the owners of buildings damaged by the Oct. 9 explosion in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue. Deb Schober, human resources director for the city of Woodstock, reported last week that claim No. 14 came from St. Mary Catholic Church, […]

City contractor Visu-Sewer wasn’t doing any special work on Lincoln Avenue on Oct. 9 when a crew using a “root cutter” struck a gas line. “Visu-Sewer was hired for televising and cleaning of the city sewer system,” City Manager Roscoe Stelford said last week. “They were just making their way around city.” That breach of […]

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Nicor Gas fixed a small underground leak Monday after a natural gas odor was detected in the vicinity of the Oct. 9 explosion. According to a news release from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, a “faint odor was noticeable” but winds made it difficult to pinpoint. Firefighters responded at 1:21 p.m. Monday to the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue, where the Oct. 9 blast destroyed two houses and damaged about 15 others. Several citizens greeted firefighters outside in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue after a natural gas odor was detected across from the parking lot of St. Mary Catholic Church. Representatives from Nicor Gas arrived shortly after firefighters and were able to find a small underground leak between the sidewalk and street. No immediate hazards were evident, the release said, so firefighters turned the scene over to Nicor crews within 30 minutes. No evacuations or shelter-in-place orders were made. The gas leak was considered an isolated incident, and Lincoln Avenue remained open. At 3:51 p.m., an ambulance was dispatched to a home in the vicinity of the leak for a medical emergency for reasons not related to the gas leak, the release said, One person was reportedly taken to the hospital. In a statement Monday afternoon, St. Mary said it had canceled all activities and closed the church grounds through at least Tuesday. The church and school were expected to resume normal operations Tuesday. Residents were advised to evacuate their homes and call 911 if a strong smell of natural gas is detected in the home. First responders and gas company representatives can find the leak. Homeowners also were urged to install carbon monoxide alarms in their homes as an easy, potentially, life-saving practice.

By Larry Lough and Susan W. Murray larry@the woodstockindependent.com  Reports should be available this week on the investigation into the natural gas-fueled explosion that shook much of Woodstock on the afternoon of Oct. 9. Chief Brendan Parker of the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District reported that, just days after the explosion, he had already received media requests, […]

By Eileen Millard news@the woodstockindependent.com  In the days since the Oct. 9 gas explosion at 321 Lincoln Ave. and the ensuing fire at the building next door, the people of Woodstock have come together to lend a hand to those affected. None of the residents of the two buildings were home when the explosion and […]