A natural gas leak is believed to be the cause of a house explosion Thursday afternoon in Crestwood that killed the 76-year-old homeowner.
Firefighters arrived at the home at 14105 S. Kenneth Court at about 2 p.m. and extinguished the fire by 4 p.m., Crestwood Fire Chief Jonathan Newton said in a statement.
Firefighters from Palos Heights and Orland Park were among the fire departments that assisted Crestwood firefighters.
The homeowner was found dead in the home’s basement at about 8:15 p.m. Thursday, after responders “methodically and meticulously” searched the rubble, Newton said. He said the search of the home was delayed due to safety concerns.
The resident was transferred to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. His name has not been released.
Residents said the man lived in the neighborhood for about 25 years and that his wife died two years ago.
Neighbors said it sounded like a bomb went off when the house exploded.
The house was flattened by the blast and debris including wood, siding, insulation and roofing materials were on neighboring lawns and driveways.