One dead, 2 missing after Illinois factory explosion

One person died and other two were missing after an explosion rocked a factory in Illinois. Fire officials are investigating the matter and have not said what caused the explosion.

Waukegan:Authorities have recovered the body of one person following an explosion and fire at an Illinois factory.

They believe two other people who are still missing are dead.

Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven Lenzi said the body was recovered Saturday morning.

He says crews have suspended their search for the other two workers due to concerns about the stability of the structure.

Nine employees were inside the plant when the explosion occurred around 9:30 pm Friday at AB Specialty Silicones in Waukegan, some 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Chicago.

Four were taken to hospitals and two declined treatment.

Lenzi said earlier Saturday it was "not likely" that any of the missing workers survived.

He says it will take several days before crews are able to resume searching.

The cause of the explosion is unknown.