FULTON COUNTY — Fulton County Coroner Steve Hines has confirmed one person is dead and several injured in a massive explosion Wednesday that has left much of downtown Canton, Illinois in ruins.

Investigators say they believe the explosion came from a gas line, which destroyed the town’s opera house.

According to witness statements, they heard a loud noise around 5:45 p.m. and then their windows began to shake. Many windows near the site were reportedly shattered.

Ameren is reporting nearly 500 people in the Central Illinois town were without power in Wednesday night due to the explosion.