Oswego, Illinois — A quiet street in this Chicago suburb became the site of a heartbreaking tragedy Thursday afternoon when a house at 269 Fox Chase Drive North exploded and collapsed, killing the couple who lived there. 64‑year‑old James Fitzmaurice Sr. and his 62‑year‑old wife, Virgie Fitzmaurice, were found dead inside the debris after firefighters battled intense flames and a night‑long search of the wreckage.
Fire crews were called to the scene just after 5 p.m. when neighbors reported a loud blast and saw thick black smoke rising into the sky. Within minutes, multiple fire departments arrived to find the two‑story home fully engulfed and partially collapsed, according to officials.
The Oswego Fire Protection District said the initial fight to control the fire was complicated by a natural gas line that continued to burn even after most of the flames were put out. Workers from Nicor Gas eventually shut off the fuel supply, allowing firefighters to safely continue their search for victims.
It wasn’t until hours later, once the main blaze was under control and crews sifted through unstable debris, that the bodies of the Fitzmaurices were located. The Kendall County Coroner’s Office says positive identification and official cause of death will wait on further scientific analysis, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbors described the scene with stunned disbelief. Many said they heard the explosion shake homes nearby and watched as rescue teams worked through the night. One resident said it was almost unreal to see what moments earlier had been a family home reduced to rubble.
The home sits directly across from Fox Chase Elementary School, prompting a precautionary walkthrough by school officials the following morning. Thankfully, school staff reported no structural damage, and classes continued with no interruption.
Investigators believe a gas leak likely triggered the deadly blast, but the exact cause remains under review by fire officials, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and federal investigators. Officials stress the complex investigation is ongoing and additional details will be released as they become available.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Oswego community has been sending condolences and support to the Fitzmaurice family. Village leaders spoke of the profound loss and the strength neighbors have shown as they cope together. The couple’s passing is a stark reminder of how suddenly life can change and how deeply a community can feel its losses.
