Illinoise house explosion
©Carole Sharwarko/Sun-Times News Group
The aftermath of an explosion in Frankfort that killed an elderly couple.

An elderly couple died early Saturday in an explosion that destroyed their Frankfort home and scattered debris across two blocks.

The 5:30 a.m. blast was felt several miles away.

Natural gas may have built up inside the house, Frankfort Police Chief Rob Piscia said. Police and fire officials, the state fire marshal's office and local utility companies were investigating.

Clyde, 89, and Luella Reils, 87, lived in Frankfort and had been married for 67 years. They had four children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Reils had been a volunteer Frankfort firefighter and retired from Mobile Chemical in Frankfort, according to neighbors. His wife had been a bank teller at Frankfort Bank.

Orville Bell, who lived in a home behind the Reils residence, said his house and several others were damaged by the explosion.

"I won't be living in my house for a while," Bell said.

"The gas is shut off on all the houses in a two-block radius," Assistant Fire Chief Larry Rauch said.

Police evacuated residents of the street and some adjoining streets.