Susan Treadway Killed in Moro House Explosion

Unsafe Premises - September 15, 2026

Cause of Madison County House Explosion That Killed Susan TreadwayĀ Remains Under Investigation

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MORO, ILLINOISĀ (September 15, 2026) – An 80-year-old woman identified as Susan Treadway tragically died in a Madison County house explosion near Moro along Vine Street.

Madison County officials are saying that the explosion occurred on Monday. For undetermined reasons, there was an explosion at the property that also damaged nearby homes.

The force of the blast caused several other properties to catch fire. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the explosion to help all of the victims.

They encountered heavy debris and a burning gas line, though it has not been officially determined that the explosion was the result of a gas leak. Susan Treadway was identified as the woman who died in the blast.

The Illinois State fire marshal’s office and local fire departments are currently investigating the cause of the blast. A full investigation into the deadly house explosion that killed Susan TreadwayĀ remains ongoing.

Liability for Moro Home ExplosionsĀ 

Depending on the cause of any residential home explosion, there could be several sources of liability. A large portion of home explosions across Illinois in the United States are the results of gas leaks. If this is the case, the public utility responsible for maintaining the gas line could be held legally responsible. Section 8-101 of the Illinois Public Utilities ActĀ requires that gas lines and equipment are maintained in an adequate condition that promotes safety. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating liability for any suspected gas explosion.

  • They will look at all the maintenance records related to the gas pipes that lead up to the property that exploded.
  • They will consider whether or not there were any prior leak reports before a gas explosion.
  • Another important consideration is the work that contractors performed.
  • Interior piping, valves, appliances, and other equipment related to the gas lines should also be reviewed.

When a gas company has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their line, they must take action. Failing to take action could form the basis of a negligence claim. Consider, for example, Adams v. Northern Illinois Gas Co. That case involved a home explosion that killed an occupant. An investigation into the explosion revealed that a defective brass connector on a kitchen range was the source of the gas leak that caused the explosion. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that NI-Gas knew Cobra gas connectors could deteriorate and yet failed to warn customers.

Steps to Take After Illinois Home Explosions

Ā According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were an estimated 4,566 US home structure fires involving gas lines in 2024. These incidents caused an estimated 32 civilian deaths and 129 civilian injuries. Residential explosions can have many different potential causes. It is therefore critical that all of the evidence related to the explosion is properlyĀ preserved. What follows are some of the steps that should be taken after any residential explosion in Illinois.

  • All of the physical evidence related to the explosion should be properly collected and preserved.
  • All of the emergency response records in the aftermath of the explosion should be carefully reviewed.
  • Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken.
  • The source of the explosion should be determined.
  • The family of any person who died in a residential explosion should seek an independent investigation by a team experienced in premises liability claims and fire science.

Residential explosions tend to be very preventable in many different settings. They often involve one or more major safety lapses. Unfortunately, utility companies are not likely to admit fault if their negligence caused an explosion that seriously injured or killed someone. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party. The family of any person who died in a residential explosion may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.

Investigating Illinois Home Explosions

We atĀ Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Susan Treadway. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be averted. There are many important safety questions that need to be addressed.

Do you need more information about an Illinois home explosion? Our team of experienced accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and getting to the bottom of what caused any home explosion. 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.