Body found in rubble of house explosion in Gurnee

GURNEE, Ill. (WLS) -- A body was found in the debris of house that exploded on Friday evening in north suburban Gurnee, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. in the 36000-block of Streamwood Drive. The explosion shook homes blocks away.

"We were in the house, we thought maybe it was an earthquake. We all ran outside to see what it was. We thought maybe a big tree came down or something because it shook the whole ground," said neighbor Robin Vanderspool.

A neighbor said he believes the house was vacant, however the Lake County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating whether or not people lived at the home.

"Two houses were affected by the explosion but not by the fire. The compression and the debris made both these houses unable to be occupied at this time," said Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief James Pellitteri.

One woman was injured by falling debris in a nearby home and treated at the scene, the sheriff's office said. Six additional homes were damaged by the explosion.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

North Shore Gas Spokeswoman Vanessa Hall said the gas has been shut off to the home and that the fire was extinguished. Other homes in the area still have gas service.