Watch CBS News

Elderly Woman Dies In House Explosion In Streator

Updated 09/02/14 - 11:13 a.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- An elderly woman was killed overnight when her home was leveled by an explosion in LaSalle County.

CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports the woman's son also was in the home at the time, but survived. The explosion was reported around 10:30 p.m. at a home on Court Street near Little Street in Streator.

One home was destroyed in the blast, and flames spread to two neighboring houses.

Ethel Davison, 82, and her son Tim were in the house at the time. She died of her injuries, but her son was in the back of the house, which was not as severely damaged, and he survived the explosion.

"She was wonderful. She was so caring and loving. She was such a good Christian. She wasn't ready to die," said Ethel Davison's granddaughter, Renda diBrizzi.

House Explosion
An 82-year-old woman was killed when her house in Streator was leveled in an explosion. (Credit: CBS)

Davison's son, Tim Davison, said he wants his mother to be remembered "as a loving, caring, beautiful person. She was Christian. She was just a wonderful, wonderful woman."

Neighbors who live blocks away said their homes were rattled by the blast.

"I heard a big bang, … felt the house rumble and shake, and thought it was just a crack of lightning or thunder," Scott Vogel said. "I got up and looked out the bedroom window, and it seemed like something on fire across the street by that house, and I said, 'That's on fire.'"

His legs still covered in soon, Tim Davison said he still can't figure out how he survived the explosion that killed his mother.

"I was lucky to make it out," he said.

He was able to get to his mother, but instantly knew she had died of her injuries. He wanted to remove her from the home, but couldn't due to the heavy flames a few feet away.

Neighbor Denny Simpson heard the blast, and ran to try and help. He was with Davison when he watched him risk his life, trying to reach his mother.

"You look down the hall, and there's nothing but flames, and he took off running that way," Simpson said.

Davison said he was just trying to be there for the woman who was there for him for most of his life.

"I tried to climb through the debris to get to where my mom was. I just couldn't get there," he said.

The explosion set off fires that damaged two neighboring homes, one of which was gutted by flames.

Three firefighters who responded to the initial 911 call were injured, but have since been treated and released from hospitals. Two of them returned to the scene of the fire to put out hot spots.

The cause of the blast was under investigation early Tuesday. Nicor Gas Company officials were at the scene early Tuesday.

In addition to her son, Tim, Ethel Davison leaves behind two other sons, and two daughters.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.