House Explosion in Rural Northern Illinois Kills 2 People

Two people have died in a house explosion in rural northern Illinois, authorities said.

First responders were called at 11:25 a.m. Saturday to the explosion outside La Salle, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office said in a posting on Facebook.

LaSalle County officials said a 59-year-old man died of multiple injuries sustained from the explosion. The second victim, who's identity has not been released, was transferred to a hospital where she later died.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated, and foul play is not suspected, the sheriff’s office said.

Among the agencies investigating the explosion are the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office, the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported.

Additional details were not available Sunday.

NBC 5/Associated Press
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