Police said an explosion at a southeast house that left two men with serious burns is suspicious. (CBC)Police are treating an explosion and house fire Monday evening in southeast Calgary that sent two men to hospital as suspicious.

The blast happened at about 7 p.m. Monday night in the 14800 block of Mt. McKenzie Drive S.E.

Police found two men suffering from severe burns outside the residence. They were taken to Foothills hospital in serious but non-life threatening condition.

A police officer who entered the home to make sure no one else was inside suffered smoke inhalation and was also taken to hospital.

Arson investigators were on scene Tuesday. It appears the fire was the result of illegal activity, police said. No other details were given.

Fire engulfs N.E. house

Six people escaped unhurt from a fire at this house in northeast Calgary early Tuesday morning. (CBC)Six residents of a house in northeast Calgary escaped without injury when it went up in flames early Tuesday morning.

It took two dozen firefighters and eight fire trucks to battle the blaze which started in a bungalow some time before 4 a.m. in the 800 block of Madeira Drive.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to neighbouring homes. Fire crews rescued two dogs from inside the residence.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.