A newlywed couple’s home in Illinois exploded in a devastating blast while they were away celebrating their wedding, leaving one family member missing.
The explosion occurred around 5:00PM local time on Saturday, February 16, at a residence in the 2200 block of Central Avenue, where six people lived, per CBS affiliate WBBM-TV.
CBS News adds that Cicero Fire Chief Jeff Penzkofer has confirmed that a body was found in the remains of a two-story home.
Fire officials suspect the cause was a gas leak, which ignited a massive fire, leveling the home and destroying nearly everything the couple owned. Two buildings across the street were also damaged.
Bride Rushed to Scene in Wedding Dress
Newlyweds Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettos - who had just tied the knot - received the devastating news moments after their ceremony concluded, according to ABC affiliate WLS-TV.
“I ran here in my wedding dress, like down the alley, and was watching from a neighbor’s yard,” Vrettos told CW affiliate WGN-TV. “Everything was just smoke at that point.”
"Obviously, everything is under investigation right now, so we’re just dealing with the aftermath and just grieving. But also, there’s so much more ahead that we’re taking it hour by hour," Vrettos told 29News.
One Fatality, But Identity Remains Unconfirmed
Authorities confirmed that one body was discovered in the debris on Sunday, February 16, per PEOPLE. However, the victim has not yet been identified.
Reports indicate that a wedding guest had left the reception in his mother’s car and had been reported missing.
29News reports that the missing family member has been named as Anthony Avila-Puebla - who is the father of the bride's nephew. His family is now asking for help in locating him, and say that he was wearing black suit with a purple shirt and purple tie on the day of the wedding.
It is currently unclear if this missing family member is the deceased victim. It was later determined the victim was outside the building, CBS News reports.
Bride Mourns Loss of Home and Pets
Vrettos, who grew up in the now-destroyed home, shared that the explosion not only took away her family house but also her beloved six cats, who were inside at the time.
“Now I don’t have a home and on top of it, I don’t have them as my home,” she said. “That’s the most devastating because they’re the ones that give me the comfort through that darkness.”
She added: “My dad passed away a few years ago, so we don’t have the home as a remembrance of him, too. It’s a lot to grieve.”
But Vrettos is holding out hope, telling 29News: "I want to see if they’re around. I have a feeling they’re out there."
No Insurance to Cover the Loss
The home was under renovation at the time of the explosion, Davis told WLS-TV. The couple was also in the process of transferring their home insurance, meaning they now have no coverage to help them recover from the disaster.
In response, family friend Julissa Martinez launched a GoFundMe campaign to support them. As of Tuesday, February 18, the fundraiser had collected more than $44,000 in donations.
“On what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, the Vrettos family, including newlyweds Tom Davis and Eleni Vrettos, experienced an unimaginable tragedy” Martinez wrote.
The page description continues: "This home was more than just a house—it was where Eleni grew up, where she and Tom had moved in to start their new life together, and where the family had built countless memories over the years. Now, they have lost everything—their belongings, their keepsakes, and the place they called home.
"Tragically, they also lost their six beloved cats—Bambi, Graham, Reya, Tucker, Old Boy, and Grey—in the fire. These beautiful, cherished cats were a part of their family, deeply loved by Tom, Eleni, and the entire Vrettos family.
"They brought comfort, companionship, and joy to their home, making this loss even more heartbreaking."
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion, and officials have yet to confirm any arrests or further developments.