Explosion levels two-story house in rural Caseyville

An explosion, possibly caused by natural gas, leveled a two-story home at 40 Edgewood Lane in rural Caseyville about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Smith, resident of the rental home, said he had left the home at about noon to go work at a friend’s house.

“I have no idea what happened. I didn’t smell any gas when I left here,” Smith said.

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A neighbor, Darlene Jonas, said she heard an explosion.

“As soon as I sat down on the couch, I hear ‘boom,’ one big explosion,” she said. “I’m still shaking from it.”

The blast sent debris from the home, including a door, onto neighboring lawns.

Neighbor Larry Arnold, who lives across the street, said, “It shook the whole neighborhood. It felt like it was going to blow my door off.”

Hollywood Heights Fire Chief Buddy Moore said the explosion appeared to be caused by natural gas.

“It blew it off the foundation. That’s how much of an impact it had,” Moore said.

Moore added that no one was injured, and no one was home. He also said utility companies were on site Saturday night.

This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 7:51 PM with the headline "Explosion levels two-story house in rural Caseyville."