A Henderson house fire turned into a garage explosion Wednesday, leaving one man seriously injured and forcing nearby businesses to evacuate.
The fire was reported around 11:30 a.m. near Lake Mead Parkway and Athens Avenue, according to FOX5 Vegas. Henderson Fire Department officials said an explosion happened in the garage after crews responded to the house fire.
News 3 Las Vegas reported that firefighters and police responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of Calville Estates Court. Crews found a working fire at the residence before the garage explosion occurred.
Officials had not said what caused the fire or the garage explosion. Until investigators release more details, the only confirmed point is that the explosion happened after crews responded to the house fire.
Six People and Two Dogs Were Inside the Home
Henderson Fire officials said six people were inside the home, including two adults and four children. FOX5 reported that two dogs were also taken out of the house, and one adult man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
News 3 reported that the other adult, the children, and the dogs were able to evacuate safely. FOX5 also reported that one police officer suffered smoke inhalation and went to the hospital for treatment.
Nearby Businesses Were Evacuated
FOX5 reported that several nearby businesses were forced to evacuate, including a local dog groomer. Henderson Fire later confirmed that the evacuation had been lifted.
News 3 reported that the fire was controlled and contained, but the home suffered significant damage and was deemed uninhabitable. The same report said businesses at a shopping mall behind the home were temporarily evacuated while crews worked the fire.
Garage Fires Carry Added Risks
The U.S. Fire Administration says garages and basements carry added fire risks because flammable liquids, stored combustibles, gas appliances, and electrical tools can contribute to fires. Its garage guidance says oil, gasoline, paints, propane, and varnishes should be stored in a shed away from the home, and combustible items should be kept away from appliances.
Ready.gov advises households to make a written fire escape plan and practice getting out in under two minutes. After a fire or explosion, residents should wait for fire officials to say when it is safe to return, especially when the home has major structural damage or the cause is still under investigation.