Body found in house explosion in Crestwood, officials say

CRESTWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- Emergency crews responded to a deadly house explosion Thursday afternoon in the south suburbs.

The explosion happened sometime after 2 p.m. in the 14000 block of Kenneth Court in Crestwood, fire officials said.

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Chopper 7 was over the scene, where firefighters and more first responders could be seen surveying a home that appeared to be completely destroyed.

A 76-year-old man was inside the house at the time of the explosion, fire officials said.

Officials later said a body was found in the rubble. Officials have not released the identity of the person who was found.

Neighbors shared cellphone video and told ABC7 they saw debris falling from the sky after the explosion and flames erupting minutes later. Crestwood fire was there within minutes.

Debris could be seen scattered through the yard and street near the home.

Smoke could also be seen rising from the destroyed house.

Donna O'Keefe, who lives around the corner, said she and other neighbors ran outside to see what was happening.

"The house is just gone instantly. It was here one minute and gone the next," O'Keefe said. "There was debris floating. There was debris and glass and windows in the neighbors' houses and there was glass everywhere."

Yolanda Cardona was at her sister's home, directly behind the home explosion on Kenneth.

"It was like a bomb. Like a big bomb," Cardona said. "I saw paper. "Paper just flew, and then maybe five minutes after that, then the flames started coming."

Crestwood Fire Chief Jon Newton told ABC7 the cause of the deadly explosion was believed to be related to a natural gas leak.

"I am very sad, I knew the man. Very nice man," Cardona said.

One family and the community is now grieving the loss of a beloved father and friend.

"I'm devastated for the family. It's awful," O'Keefe said. "I can't even imagine what they're going through or going to go through."

NICOR and ATF officials were on the scene Thursday evening as crews worked on manually shutting off the natural gas by digging into the ground.

As far as additional damage, there was significant damage done to a home next door. The fire chief also added there were no reports of any other injuries.

No further information about the incident was immediately available.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.