1992 River West Gas Fires

Historical marker commemorating the gas fires that occurs on January 8th, 1992. The River West gas fires claimed 4 lives and destroyed 18 buildings. An investigation uncovered that People's Gas Company workers were responsible for not monitoring downstream pressure while repairing a faulty valve. As a result, the homes and businesses of River West experienced a pressure buildup amounting to over 40x normal levels. This marker is posted at 911 N. Willard Ct., a building that had been damaged in the fire.