Oak Forest Explosion Caused By 'Unknown Origins', ATF Probing : Police

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest police and federal authorities are investigating an explosion that took place Tuesday night and injured two people.

Police responded to an apartment building in the 5100 block of 160th Street for the report of a fire, officials said. Two people, who have not been identified, were taken to Christ Hospital with serious injuries. However, the extent of their injuries is not known at this time.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the incident along with the Illinois State Fire Marshal and other state agencies, officials said.

Officials have not yet released a possible cause for the explosion. In an email to Patch on Wednesday, Oak Forest Police Chief Jason Reid said that the explosion was caused by "unknown origins" within the apartment unit.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like an explosion around 8 p.m., according to multiple media reports. Reggie O’Dell, who lives near the apartment building, told NBC 5 he walked out of his building and said that the windows and doors of a neighboring building had been blown out.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Oak Forest Fire Chief William Engle at (708) 687-1376.

This is a developing story. Patch will provide additional information as it becomes available.