OREGON, Wis. — The explosion that leveled a duplex in Oregon late last week caused an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million in damage, the village’s fire department said Monday.
Friday morning’s blast, which happened at a duplex being built in the 800 block of Oregon Parks Avenue, destroyed two structures and shook the neighborhood, the Oregon Area Fire Department said in a news release. While both are considered a total loss, residents from one were able to get inside and recover some of their belongings.
Authorities say no one was injured. Two dogs escaped following the explosion, and a cat was later found and returned to its family.
First responders from 16 fire departments and four EMS agencies responded, some of which were brought in to respond to any other calls that came in.
News 3 Now spoke exclusively with Elaine Schmitz who said she was inside the duplex next door with her sick daughter when the explosion happened.
“I heard the noise, and the rumble, I wasn’t sure what was happening but I knew it wasn’t good and so my urgency was to get my daughter out of the house,” she said.
Her house and most of her family’s belongings have been deemed a total loss.Â
No lives were lost, but the Oregon Fire Department says it could’ve been much worse.
“The outcome of this could’ve been a lot greater than, yes, the property can be replaced, buildings can be replaced, but life can’t, and overall — thank God he was looking out for us that day,” Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier said.
The Schmitz family is currently living with a relative. A GoFundMe page has already been set up for the family. Elaine and her husband Luke are eternally grateful for the support of their community, fire department, family, and friends.
RELATED: None injured in Oregon duplex explosion that damaged neighboring homes
The explosion remains under investigation.
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