Gas line explosion at plant in northern Ill. shook buildings at least a mile away

Gas line explodes at plant in Belvidere, Ill.

BELVIDERE, Ill. — A gas line explosion at a plant in northern Illinois was so strong it shook buildings at least a mile away.

Police in Belvidere, Ill., say a gas line exploded Monday afternoon at the NKD America plant, which makes synthetic crystals for computers. Police say they have reports at least one person may have been injured, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

Belvidere school district official Greg Brown works about a mile away from where the blast occurred. He says it felt like a little earthquake. He also says he heard a boom that sounded like cars colliding in a traffic accident.

Belvidere is located about 70 miles northwest of Chicago.