No one hurt in Warren house explosion

Warren — A house was significantly damaged by an explosion — but no one was injured — early Monday afternoon, according to fire officials.

The one-story house exploded around 1:30 p.m. on the 11900 block of Harold near Rubin, Fire Chief David Frederick said.

“That’s what the neighbors were reporting, and that’s how the call came in from dispatch,” he said.

No one was inside when the explosion occurred, Frederick said.

The home’s owner was at work when neighbors called her about the blast.

The resulting fire was brought under control within about 20 minutes, Frederick said.

“They’re still checking for hotspots and stuff like that,” he said. “As far as I know, it sounds like there’s significant damage.”

Neighbor James Randazzo said he was in his backyard drinking a cup of coffee when he heard what sounded like a two-car accident. He said he then ran out front and saw the fire.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “I’m glad nobody was hurt.”

Warren police cars have blocked the street as firefighters work on the damaged house. A firefighter could be seen inside the house spraying down interior walls.

Two Consumers Energy trucks and an ambulance are also on the scene.

The cause of the explosion has not been determined, but officials are looking to see if a gas leak was involved, Frederick said.

Tony Lazzarino, another neighbor, said he was watching television in his bedroom when he heard a noise and looked out his window to see other neighbors coming out of their houses.

“I didn’t see anything at first,” he said. “Then I saw black smoke coming from the back of the house. It was getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”

hfournier@detroitnews.com

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