The St Joseph Fire Department responded shortly after two p.m. to 207 South 12th, at the southeast corner of 12th and Edmond, to the report of a structure fire with a possible explosion.

After an initial interior attack, firefighters pulled out because of extreme heat in the brick building. After pouring a lot of water on the building from the outside, they resumed fighting the fire on the upper floors of the building from the inside.

By 4 p.m. fire crews were still inside the house putting out hot spots and small flare-ups.

One neighbor told us she heard a boom and came out to investigate, and spotted flames coming from the roof in the back of the structure.

Fire Inspector Bob Blizzard says the explosion was caused when the valve popped off the propane tank on a barbecue grill. Blizzard says the fire started on the back porch, outside the home, and spread to the yard and the upper floors of the structure. There was fire damage throughout.

Blizzard says the cause of the fire will be listed as “undetermined” because part of the second floor porch collapsed during the fire. He estimates damage at $130 thousand.

One family, four adults and two children, lived in the home. Two adults were at home at the time the fire broke out, but were able to get out safely. There were no injuries.

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the family as they rebuild their lives and look for another place to live.