'No Evidence' 3 Men Dead In Explosion Had Black Powder: Attorney

CHICAGO — The family of three men who died in an explosion near Starved Rock State Park last week have hired a law firm to look into the deaths of the two brothers and their nephew.

The bodies of Inmer Rivera Tejada, 39, Rafael Rivera Tejada, 36, and their nephew Guillermo Rivera Tejada, 26, of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago were discovered last Thursday night near the old Route 178 bridge, according to LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch.

Officials said the death looked like an "accident" that likely happened when the men were using black powder for "fishing or heating up food" when it ignited. Attorneys from Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard said there is no evidence the men had "anything whatsoever" to do with the explosive powder.

"We do know demolition was actively occurring in the area as part of bridge work," attorney Tara R. Devine said in a news release. "We will be hiring some of the best experts in the country to assist us in our investigation and hopefully bring peace of mind to Inmer, Rafael and Guillermo’s family."

The Illinois Department of Transportation demolished the Old Route 178 Bridge in late March. The area was closed temporarily for the demolition and cleanup, according to a release from IDOT.

It could take a few weeks to determine what the black powder substance was, but explosive black powder is typically used in firearms.

Ploch said Wednesday he was not prepared to release the cause and manner of the mens' death.

"This is an isolated incident, and there is no concern for public safety at this time," said officials from the Illinois State Police.

Anyone with information about the explosion was asked to call state police at 815-726-6377.