76-Year-Old Man Dead In Crestwood House Explosion: Reports

CRESTWOOD, IL — An elderly man is believed dead in a house explosion on a cul-de-sac on Kenneth Court near 141st Place in Crestwood Thursday afternoon. One home was destroyed and another heavily damaged.

Crestwood fire officials confirmed that a man inside the home died after the blast, which was likely caused by a natural gas leak, NBC 5 Chicago reported.

Other news outlets are reporting that the man is still missing.

Neighbors told Patch they heard a loud boom and felt the explosion around 2 p.m., and were told a gas leak may have caused the blast. Some said they felt the explosion as far away as Midlothian and Oak Forest.

Nicor investigators were arriving Thursday afternoon as fire crews remained on the scene.

Multiple fire departments were at the scene, including Crestwood, Orland Park, Oak Forest and Palos Heights.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.