Two Dead In Mystery Hazardous Material Alert

Two men have been killed and five others taken to hospital after a mysterious hazardous material caused breathing difficulties at an Illinois home.

Authorities found the men's bodies at the property in Maine Township, near Des Plaines, after a family member called to report they were in distress.

A woman was found in a critical condition and was taken to a hospital in Park Ridge, a spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Department said.

Four deputies were also taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after going into the home to investigate. They were forced to leave the house because of the mysterious substance reportedly released on Thursday night.

Firefighters were seen entering the property wearing protective gear, before being hosed down outside the building, ABC News reported.

Richard Dobrowski, fire chief for North Maine Township Fire Department, said: "Until our hazmat teams can clear the scene and deem it safe for investigators to go in there, we don't have any more information for you."

He added that the injured officers were the first to arrive on the scene and reported "they started to feel sick" after investigating the house.

Neighbours said they believed a gas leak could be behind the deaths, CBS News reported. Houses near the property were evacuated, but residents were later allowed back home.

The hazardous material has not been identified.