Firefighters battle structure fire after basement explosion

Firefighters battled a structure fire Saturday evening in the 500 block of Forest Drive after an explosion was reported.

Authorities arrived on scene to heavy smoke and fire shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday. Collinsville Fire Department, Maryville Fire Department and Fairview Fire Department responded to the call. Firefighters had the blaze under control by 7:30 p.m.

According to Collinsville Fire Chief David Meadows, the structure caught fire after there was an explosion in the basement. The explosion led to extensive interior damage. A vehicle parked in the downstairs garage also caught fire.

Four adults and two children were in the house at the time of the explosion, but all escaped safely, as did three dogs, Meadows said. The family’s cat could not be located.

Meadows said the cause of the explosion is unknown as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday. He said a state fire marshal might be called to investigate the fire depending on the results of a preliminary investigation.

An Ameren Illinois employee also responded to the scene to shut off power to electric lines stretching to the house. Power lines had also fallen into the street.

Glen Carbon Fire Department stood by at the Collinsville engine house.

This story was originally published February 4, 2017 at 8:34 PM with the headline "Firefighters battle structure fire after basement explosion."