Explosion, fire wrecks Hamilton Mountain home

A fire and an explosion wrecked a Hamilton Mountain home lateTuesday.

Fire crews were called to 804 Garth St. around 11:30 p.m.

They found a home enveloped in flames with fire and heavy smoke billowing out of the basement, officials say.

There was one person in the home when the fire started, but he managed to get out safely without injury before firefighters arrived.

Fire safety officer Robert Simpson says the home sustained heavy structural damage.

“I think it's going to be a total write-off,” he said.

An HSR bus was brought in to provide temporary shelter for neighbours from the smoke.

Simpson says heavy smoke was blowing through the neighbourhood because of the wind.

He said the damage inside the home indicated an explosion had taken place, but didn't yet know what had caused it.

Officials from the Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.