ENON, Ohio --
A Clark County sheriff's deputy is homeless after his home nearly burned to the ground.
The deputy and his 3-year-old son barely escaped the flames at their home on Lucas Drive near the village of Enon in Clark County.
According to investigators, an explosion of some type woke Deputy Chris Doolin and his son and allowed them to escape through a bedroom window.
Deputy Fire Chief Elmer Beard said, "The homeowner said he heard an explosion and woke up and found the house full of smoke."
Doolin said he tried to open a bedroom door, but saw smoke and flames. He said he managed to open a ground-floor window and escaped with his son.
Dawn Cox, who lives nearby, said, "We woke up to a knock on the door, looked out and could not find where the guy was."
Cox said Doolin was looking for the first person to answer the door for help. She said she could not see him, but could see the fire at his house.
The flames engulfed the house, and prompted firefighters from numerous departments to respond. They were forced to truck in water to the scene because there were no hydrants in the area.
Fire officials said the house is considered a total loss.
Firefighters said no one was injured because the deputy stayed calm and protected his child.
Beard said, "They were smart not to go out the primary exit."
Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said Doolin lost everything in the fire. He lost his uniforms and guns, but also lost all of his son's clothing.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Doolin has been a deputy in Clark County for about six months. Before becoming a deputy, he was a long-time lieutenant with the Enon Police Department.
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