The explosion was reported around 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6.
Author: Katrina Lamansky
Updated: 1:17 PM CDT May 8, 2021
UTICA, Ill. — Three people died after an "unknown explosion" was reported north of Starved Rock State Park. According to the Illinois State Police Department, the explosion happened around 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6 at the Illinois Route 178 Bridge over the Illinois River.
According to the Associated Press, the three people who died were male. LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch says the three died from injuries they received in the explosion, which had ignited from a "black powder substance."
Black powder was the original gunpowder and can be used to make fireworks.