An explosion at a home in Council Bluffs Thursday evening resulted in one person being sent to the hospital, suffering from severe burns. Witnesses told Omaha television station KETV that a man came running from the house shortly after the fire occurred. Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers confirmed the victim suffered critical burns to 50-percent of his body, and was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center. The man’s name and a report on his condition are not currently available.

The blaze at 310 South 10th St. was reported at 7:45 p.m.  Byers said both neighbors and police reported hearing a number of explosions coming from the second floor of the home, which is located a short distance west of Bayliss Park.

The blaze was snuffed out in about a half hour. Chief Byers couldn’t say for sure what started the fire, but he indicated there were combustible materials inside the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.