A major explosion rocked an apartment building in South Austin on Tuesday morning, injuring at least eight people. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. at a four-story building located at 5601 W. West End Ave. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, with ten ambulances dispatched and multiple victims transported to local hospitals.

Among those injured, a man and a woman were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Three others—two men and one woman—were admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital. A female patient was sent to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, while two men were treated at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. One of the injured individuals was reportedly across the street at the time of the blast.

Firefighters arrived to stabilize the structure and conduct a thorough search of the building. They confirmed that all residents had safely evacuated before the final inspection was completed. Despite the severity of the explosion, no fatalities have been reported so far.

The cause of the blast is still under investigation. A spokesperson for Peoples Gas stated that there is currently no indication the explosion was caused by gas or any of their equipment. Authorities are working closely with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Chicago Police Department Bomb Unit to determine the source of the incident.

The explosion occurred on the top floor of the building, on the eastern side. It caused significant damage, sending bricks and debris into the street and damaging at least three cars. The roof of one unit collapsed, and several windows were blown out during the blast.

Interestingly, building records reveal a troubling history of code violations. Since 2010, the building has failed 12 consecutive inspections. In 2017 and 2018, the property received citations for failing to repair or replace faulty smoke detectors. In 2020, another violation involved a gas appliance not being properly connected to a flue or vent. However, after an administrative hearing in February 2020, a follow-up inspection confirmed that all issues had been resolved.

As the investigation continues, residents remain concerned about the safety of the building and the potential risks associated with its long-standing maintenance issues. Local officials are expected to provide more updates in the coming days.

Thanks, Martin

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