Sandra Patnaude Killed in Wonder Lake House Explosion

Unsafe Premises - May 21, 2026

Sandra Patnaude, 59, of Wonder Lake, Died in House Explosion on Birch Drive That Injured Her Husband and Son

WONDER LAKE, ILLINOIS (May 21, 2026) – A 59-year-old woman identified as Sandra Patnaude has tragically died in a Wonder Lake house explosion at a property along Birch Drive.

McHenry County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:50 PM on Sunday. The Wonder Lake Fire Department received reports of a structure fire and house explosion.

Fire crew arrived at the house in approximately two minutes. When crew arrived at the scene, they began efforts to put out the active house fire.

Several people were also injured in the explosion. One of the victims was identified by a friend as Sandra Patnaude. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her son and husband were also subsequently injured in the blast. There is no word yet on what may have caused the explosion.

Jason Cynowa is a resident of Wonder Lake and said that the affected family are his customers. He has created a GoFundMe to help the family.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Wonder Lake House Explosions

Gas leaks remain one of the leading causes of home explosions across Illinois and the United States. When a gas company has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their premises, they must take action. Failing to take action to correct a known risk at a property could easily lead to a gas explosion. There are many ways a gas company may have acted negligently prior to a home explosion.

• A gas company may have failed to promptly investigate a gas leak after getting reports of any odor.
• A gas company may have failed to perform periodic maintenance on gas, lines, valves, meters, or other essential equipment.
• A gas company may fail to properly monitor or control gas pressure.
• A gas company may fail to replace aging pipes after learning that they are in poor condition.

If a gas company failed to properly maintain their equipment, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be multiple liable parties for a residential explosion. For example, a contractor could face liability for a home explosion if they were performing work on a property and hit gas lines that triggered the explosion. A product manufacturer could also potentially be liable if their products contributed to any specific gas leak.

Steps to Take After Wonder Lake House Explosions

Gas leaks and subsequent explosions remain a major cause of preventable death. According to one study in Science Direct, “Reported gas leak incidents have steadily increased nationwide, nearly quadrupling from 2003 to 2018. In 2018, New York City (NYC) experienced 22,090 gas leak incidents—more than the next 25 cities combined—conservatively costing NYC $70 million annually.” Several steps should be taken after any residential explosion.

• Fire Department Report: Any fire department report created after the incident should be carefully scrutinized. It can help reveal the source of the explosion as well as potentially responsible parties.
• Medical Records: All of the medical records related to a victim’s injuries should be collected.
• Gas Line Maintenance Records: All of the maintenance records related to the upkeep of gas lines for the property should be carefully reviewed.
• Independent Investigation: Victims of residential explosions should seek an independent investigation by a team experienced in accident reconstruction and negligence claims.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any home explosion. Victims are routinely left without a home due to extensive damage to the property. They may also suffer catastrophic injuries that result in extremely high medical bills. Sadly, a large number of victims do not survive their injuries. It is important that any person impacted by a home explosion understands that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through civil action.

Investigating Wonder Lake Home Explosions

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Sandra Patnaude. It is our sincere hope that her husband and son will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. When was the last time the gas lines around the home were maintained? Was the gas company aware of any issues with those lines in the lead-up to the accident?

Do you need more information about a Wonder Lake home explosion? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. We are committed to getting to the bottom of what caused any particular accident and identifying all responsible parties. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.