James Fitzmaurice Sr, Virgie Fitzmaurice Killed in Oswego House Explosion

Unsafe Premises - February 7, 2026

Gas Leak Suspected to be the Cause of Deadly House Explosion Accident in Oswego that Killed James Fitzmaurice Sr. and Virgie Fitzmaurice

OSWEGO, ILLINOIS (February 7, 2026) – Two people identified as James Fitzmaurice Sr. and Virgie Fitzmaurice have tragically died in an Oswego house explosion on Fox Chase Drive.

Kendall County officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday evening. Local residents reported hearing a loud blast and started sprinting out of their homes to see what happened.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victims. First responders later discovered James Fitzmaurice Sr. and Virgie Fitzmaurice inside of the debris in the home.

Unfortunately, both were beyond medical aid and pronounced dead. Investigators believe that a gas leak may have been the cause of the explosion.

A full investigation into the explosion that killed James Fitzmaurice Sr. and Virgie Fitzmaurice remains ongoing. The home is located very close to Fox Chase Elementary School.

Liability for Kendall County Home Explosions

Gas companies in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their premises and equipment in a reasonably safe condition. To that end, they must perform periodic maintenance and inspections on all of their gas lines. If a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their gas lines, they must take action. There are many ways that a gas company may have acted negligently in failing to prevent a gas explosion.

  • Leak Detections: A gas company may have failed to perform required annual or periodic leak detection.
  • Repair: A gas company may have failed to repair any leaks or hazardous conditions after being given notice of them.
  • Installation: A gas company may have improperly installed or placed a gas line. It is also possible that they used incorrect pipe materials or diameters.
  • Odorant: a gas company may have failed to properly odorize the natural gas in their lines to make it more detectable in the event of a leak.

Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be several liable parties in the event of a gas explosion. This includes a construction company that may have been performing work on or around gas lines. In far too many situations, contractors failed to take into consideration the presence of gas lines throughout their work zones. It is also possible that the company responsible for installing equipment that used natural gas could bear some level of responsibility. An improper installation could easily contribute to a gas leak.

Steps to Take After Oswego Gas Explosions

Natural gas leaks remain a leading cause of preventable home explosions and fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “The number of structure fires involving a flammable gas as the material of the item first ignited has increased over the past decade. The raw number of incidents as well as the percentage of these fires have increased compared to all structure fires.” Certain action should be taken after any gas explosion.

  • Records: All records related to the gas line should be collected and preserved. These records should include any maintenance records performed on the gas lines.
  • Communication: Any communication between the gas company related to the leaks should be carefully examined. In many cases, gas companies will be alerted to leaks prior to any fatal accident.
  • Ignition Source: The source of the ignition that may have triggered the explosion should also be determined. Gas explosions require two parts. This includes combustible fuel and an ignition source.
  • Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a gas explosion should seek an independent review of the accident by a team experienced in gas leaks and premises liability claims.

Gas explosions are often highly preventable. They tend to be the result of clear safety lapses. This can include instances where gas companies failed to take action after receiving notice of a gas leak. Unfortunately, gas companies and their insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility if one of their customers is seriously injured or killed in a blast. They are more likely to blame the victim or other third parties. This is why it’s so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an outside party.

Investigating Kendall County Gas Explosions

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of James Fitzmaurice Sr. and Virgie Fitzmaurice. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered. When was the last time the gas lines for this home were inspected? Did the gas company have notice of the leak prior to the explosion?

Do you need more information about a Kendall County gas explosion accident? Our team of Chicago personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.