Firefighters, police respond to home explosion in Lisle
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Authorities were responding to a reported house explosion in Lisle Saturday evening, officials say.
According to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Department, firefighters were responding to a single family home explosion in the 4500 block of Ivanhoe in Lisle.
No injuries were initially reported.
But neighbors say they were picking up pieces of the home blocks away from the blast.
According to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, the incident was the result of a natural gas explosion. Although they are still trying to determine a specific cause, they add there was no evidence of foul play.
Neighbors came from blocks away after hearing--and feeling--the blast.
"When I heard it, it shook my whole house," said Estefany Sanchez.
Neighbors in every direction say the same thing.
"It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see somebody's home gone, so I'm glad it doesn't happen very often," said Fire Chief Keith Krestan.
The explosion sent a huge plume of smoke in the air and debris raining down on houses nearby, the force breaking windows and pushing in garage doors.
"We had several homes in the area that have been damaged by the explosion, and the debris has gone up to three to four blocks away," said Krestan.
First responders say the family that lives there is safe. They were out of town this holiday weekend.
"I know who lives in that house, too," said Sanchez. "It was one of our teachers at the middle school, so I was relieved that she wasn't home or her family."
But they will come home to a site most can barely believe they are seeing.
"In this small town nothing happens," said Sanchez. "Nothing happens at all. Nothing."
The fire chief said they are not evacuating any of the street, and he does not worry about air quality after the plume of smoke.
There were no prior reports of gas leaks or any warnings.