More details released about Mansfield home explosion that prompted school lockdown

MANSFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - We are learning more about an explosion in Mansfield that prompted a school to go on lockdown Thursday.

It happened just a few blocks away from Blue Ridge Junior High in Mansfield.

The Farmer City Police Department School Resource Officer assisted the Piatt County Sheriff's Department, Mansfield Police Department, and Mansfield Fire Department with traffic control for a fire that was happening several blocks from the Blue Ridge Intermediate and Junior High School.

Fire crews were called out just after 2 p.m. for reports of a possible explosion and fire.

Mansfield Police told WAND News the fire department is investigating, but they believe the explosion was caused by some type of vapor.

Police added that the house was vacant with the previous homeowner having moved out several months ago. They said they do not believe anyone was in the house at the time of the explosion, and no injuries were reported.

Blue Ridge School said the district did not let students leave until police gave the all clear.

Farmer City Police posted to Facebook, "While there was a delay in dismissal, everything went well, and it showed that the emergency plans that we continually practiced paid off as all students and staff went home safe."

The exact cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation.