ABOVE: A massive explosion consumes an Arkansas home moments after firefighters enter
TORONTO – If you possibly needed any reminder of the dangerous work firefighters do, this clip should be all you need.
Firefighters in Texarkana, Arkansas responded to a 911 call just after 10 p.m. Wednesday at a home on Pearl Street.
Local station KSLA reports that a mother and her one-year-old baby were asleep inside the home when neighbours noticed smoke pouring out of her attic.
According to the Texarkana Fire Department, they managed to alert the mother and child by banging on their door, and both were able to evacuate the home without any serious injury.
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Local news cameras had just set up on the scene as firefighters entered through the front door.
Then without warning, a massive explosion seemingly consumed the house, with pieces of insulation raining down on the street like a bizarre snowfall.
But incredibly, none of the firefighters were seriously hurt.
“We were in the front room, the living room making our way to the rear of the house, when we heard not a loud boom and then the ceiling fell,” firefighter Brian Henry said.
WATCH: Firefighters discuss house explosion in Arkansas
Authorities say the explosion was the result of a backdraft blowing out the insulation once firefighters opened the front door.
They’re calling the fire – and the resulting explosion – suspicious, since there was no gas or electricity connected to the house at the time.
The two residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
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