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Two Dead in Mercer County Explosion
The Mercer County Sheriffs Department isn't saying much yet about a fire and explosion that has left two people dead.

WHBF-TV in the Quad Cities reports authorities from several fire departments were called to a home on 200th avenue in Rural Aledo after three o'clock Thursday afternoon after calls came in of some sort of explosion that caused the home to be fully engulfed in flames.

Authorities aren't saying exactly what happened, but WHBF says two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and autopsies have been scheduled.

Firefighters spent at least three hours at the home near the Mercer County Airport putting out the blaze. Now, a State Police Crime Scene Investigator is on scene helping to figure out exactly what happened.

They do know that a white 2008 Ford Fusion with Illinois license plate L-7-8-8-5-8-6 is missing from the scene, and anyone who spots it should call police or CrimeStoppers.

The names of the victims have not yet been released, nor have any other details.

Crews believe heat was a factor in fighting the fire -- not the temperatures outside, but the fact that heat was kept inside the home because it had a metal roof.
07 05 12 by Newsroom
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