At least seven fire departments responded to a fire Wednesday that destroyed a home in Durham.

Durham Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said the department received a call at around 3:30 p.m. of an explosion in a house at 667 Hallowell Road, across the street from Durham Community School.

According to Michel, the home is owned by Parker Morse. No one was home when the fire broke out.

Michel was first on scene and found fire emanating from the basement, and that the daylight basement had blown out.

He estimated the firefighters had the blaze under control within an hour.

There were constantly small explosions that Michel said was likely ammunition or small propane tanks. It sounded like fireworks going off, he said.

State Police were called to provide traffic control, as the fire occurred as school was letting out.

State fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause.

The house and contents are a total loss, Michel said, and at least one vehicle at the home was damaged from an explosion. No one was injured.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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