BURKE COUNTY, NC --
Fire investigators are still trying to determine what started a blaze inside a Burke County home, which caused several explosions that nearly burned the house to the ground.
One firefighter, from the Icard Township Fire Department, was hurt trying to put out the fire on Hollywood Drive just before midnight Tuesday. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out, but is expected to be fine.
Investigators say although the home did not have power and no one was inside at the time of the fire, a family was living living there. They found several medical oxygen tanks inside the house, which they believe were ignited by the fire and caused the explosions.
Neighbors said they heard three or four loud explosions that shook their homes, and then the house went up in flames. They said they were concerned about the family, which they say had only moved in about three months ago and have a small child. They said the family had been using candles for light at night.
Authorities said the house has extensive damage and they have not been able to locate the residents.
