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Northwest Herald

Severity of injuries slows ID of woman killed in Wonder Lake-area home explosion

Crews clear debris on May 18, 2026, from the site of a house explosion near Wonder Lake that occurred the previous day.

The McHenry County coroner said Monday that his office cannot yet officially identify a person killed in a home explosion Sunday night in Wonder Lake.

Calling the victim “Jane Doe,” Dr. Michael Rein’s office said identification was delayed due to the severity of burns suffered by the victim.

In addition to the woman who was killed in the 7:50 p.m. explosion, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said two men, ages 76 and 28, were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

One of those who was injured was flown out because of extensive injuries, Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Chief Matt Yegge said.

“The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event,” Yegge said in a prepared statement.

The coroner’s office performed the autopsy on Monday and continues to investigate the death, according to a department news release. The release did not say whether dental records or DNA would be needed to confirm the victim’s identity.

A Nicor spokeswoman said Monday the utility company, which sent crews Sunday night to turn off gas fueling the fire, was assisting in the investigation as to why the home exploded.

“The safety of our customers, employees and the communities we serve is our highest priority, and our thoughts are with the families affected by this event,” according to an email sent Monday.

On Sunday night, the fire district was called for a reported house explosion in the 7400 block of Birch Drive. Crews arriving within two minutes of the call found the home on fire and multiple victims, Yegge said in a news release.

On Wonder Lake-centered social media pages, residents both nearby and across the lake from the home said they felt the shock wave.

Olivia Regillio shared a video, taken by her security camera, of the moment the nearby house exploded.

On the video, Regillio can be heard exclaiming “What was that?” as her dog races from behind their backyard pool. On Monday, she said she does not remember much from the moments immediately after.

“We were all in shock afterwards,” Regillio said. “It felt like a semi hit our home.”

Because of the fire’s severity, additional help was called from area fire districts that assisted with firefighting efforts, patient care and scene management, Yegge said.

The explosion and fire also damaged two neighboring homes, he said, adding that crews “worked to contain the fire and prevent further extension.”

The home’s front door was found two houses away on Monday.

Smoke is visible in the night sky as fire crews and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office respond to a house explosion on May 17, 2026, in Wonder Lake.

The cause of the explosion remains under active investigation. Investigators from the mutual aid division, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are jointly conducting the investigation, Yegge said.

Yegge had no new updates available on the investigation Monday.

Nicor Gas also had crews at the scene Sunday. “Our first responders are on-scene and will remain there to provide support to first responders,” a Nicor Gas spokeswoman said in an email following the explosion.

The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District responded to a house explosion in the Wonder Center neighborhood of unincorporated Wonder Lake on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Yegge thanked the mutual aid provided by other responding departments, including the Wonder Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

No firefighters were injured during the response, Yegge said.

The home is in in the Wonder Center subdivision in unincorporated Wonder Lake. The area is just north of the Wonder Lake Fire District station on the east side of the lake, according to fire officials.

Further information will be released as it becomes available, Yegge said.

Michelle Meyer

Michelle is a reporter for the Northwest Herald that covers Crystal Lake, Cary, Lakewood, Prairie Grove, Fox River Grove and McHenry County College

Janelle Walker

Janelle Walker

Originally from North Dakota, Janelle covered the suburbs and collar counties for nearly 20 years before taking a career break to work in content marketing. She is excited to be back in the newsroom.