1 dead after gas explosion in downtown Canton, Ill.

CANTON, Ill. (WLS) -- One person is dead and 11 people are injured after a large gas explosion in downtown Canton, Ill., Illinois State Police said.

State police said the gas explosion took place in the 10-block of North 1st Avenue and affected multiple buildings. The streets within a two block radius around the blast are closed to the public.

Officials said 12 victims were taken to Graham Hospital in Canton where one later died. Ten people were treated at Graham Hospital, while one victim was flown to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria with non-life threatening injuries, a hospital spokesperson said.

Officials said the explosion occurred in the area around the downtown square.

The Salvation Army in the 170-block of South 1st Avenue is open to help those displaced by the blast.

Engineers are at the site of the explosion to determine safety. The immediate circumstances of the explosion and it cause were not immediately clear.

Canton is about 30 miles southwest of Peoria, Ill.