Explosion levels home in Chicago neighbourhood

An explosion levelled a house in northwest Chicago Saturday, damaging nearby homes and injuring two people, authorities said.

Fire crews were initially called to the property in Long Grove in response to a fire, but soon after arriving an explosion occurred.

Fire Chief Jeff Steingart, of Countryside Fire District, said two people were treated and released at the scene.

Insulation from the home was found as far away as a half a mile (0.7 kilometres).

Steingart said it is too early to tell if a gas leak was to blame for the explosion.