VAN BUREN (KFSM) -- Two people were hospitalized early Tuesday morning (Sept. 17) after a Van Buren home went up in flames.
Staff Officer Stanley Clark with the Van Buren Fire Department said three people were inside the home on North 16th Street when it caught fire around 1:30 a.m.
Those inside reported waking up to the sound of an explosion, which Clark said he believes was probably the sound of windows breaking, before realizing the back of their house was on fire. They were able to escape the home and call 911.
Several neighbors said they also woke up to the sound of an explosion and got out of their homes about the same time.
"Our first units came in this morning and found a house and a car fully involved," Clark explained.
The home was significantly damaged, if not destroyed, in the fire; Clark said it is still being determined whether the home will be considered a complete loss. A car parked in the drive way was also partially burned, Clark said.
An initial investigation shows the fire may have started due to an electrical issue; however, Clark said everything remains under investigation at this time.
The Fire Marshal will be on scene later in the morning to determine what exactly caused the home to burn.