House explosion, fire reported in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sangamon County Dispatch received several reports of a house having blown up and a fire Tuesday evening.

Springfield fire crews arrived at 2513 Sandgate around 8:50 p.m. and found the area completely leveled with debris for half a block in all directions and significant damage to the house on either side.

Firefighters first on scene conducted a search of the two damaged houses to the east and west of the house that had the explosion.

Neighboring houses reported they had been shaken and awakened but were not injured. Neighbors also confirmed that the resident of the home that exploded was out of town and that no one should have been in the home.

Crews then turned their attention to extinguishing the fire to prevent it spreading to the already damaged exposure properties.

Firefighters say they noticed an odor of natural gas in the area.

Public works was called to assist by providing an operator and backhoe to remove debris.

Police were requested after 9 p.m. to remove bystanders from the area. As a result of the fire 3 residents were displaced.

Springfield Fire Chief Brandon Blough told WAND News there were no known injuries or deaths related to this fire Tuesday night. Crews were continuing to work on the scene after 9:30 p.m.

The house is considered to be a total loss.

SFD was assisted on scene by Springfield Police Department, Ameren, CWLP, Springfield public works department, and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

WAND News will update this developing story as it learns more.