Explosion, Fire at Chicago’s Soldier Field

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An explosion was heard at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday, according to reports.

Officials said that a small fire broke out after propane tanks exploded outside the stadium, which is where the Chicago Bears play, USA Today reported.

Chicago Police Department public information officer Jose Jara said that officials were called to Soldier Field around noon during a sponsored autism awareness event.

After the tank exploded, a tree caught on fire, Jara said.

The fire was quickly put out. One person, an Autism Speaks worker, was taken to the hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The explosions caused panic in the stadium after the explosions were heard. An announcement over the stadium loud speakers implored people to evacuate the premises.

Dyamond Jones, 18, a volunteer, said that a grease fire appeared on a grill, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The cook then tried to put out the fire with a cup of water.

“When he did that the entire tent went up in flames,’’ Jones said. Then, that’s when the propane tank apparently exploded.

Some people began yelling and screaming, and a tree caught fire. “Everybody was just running,’’ Jones recalled.

“My first reaction was hoping that everyone was going to safe,” Keith McCormick, who is the Executive Director of Autism Speaks. “And thank goodness everybody was,” he told CBS Chicago.

The injured worker, a 60-year-old man, according to reports, was not identified.

Other details about the incident were not revealed in media reports published online.

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