2 killed in house explosion in western suburbs, with smoke seen for miles and home reduced to rubble

Two people were killed after a house explosion in suburban Oswego Thursday afternoon, the Oswego Fire Protection District confirmed, with the scene drawing a large emergency response into the evening as giant plumes of smoke billowed into the air.

Just after 5 p.m. Thursday, the Oswego Fire Protection District was dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Fox Chase Drive North for a reported home explosion with people trapped inside.

A massive plume of smoke billowing into the air from a west suburban house fire could be seen for miles

Upon arrival, crews found that a two-story, wood-frame house had collapsed and was completely engulfed in fire.

Though crews had fully extinguished the fire, a natural gas line continued to burn, authorities said. NICOR responded with a dig crew to clamp off the gas supply as crews continued their operations.

Following an extensive search, two people were found deceased, the district said.

At least nine suburban fire agencies responded to the scene, including the Aurora Fire Department, Plainfield Fire Protection District, Montgomery Fire Protection District and more.

The incident remains under investigation by Oswego Fire Protection District Fire Investigators, along with the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and MABAS Division 15 Fire Investigators.

The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, officials said.