Two in hospital after explosion rips through house

Two men are in hospital after an explosion ripped through a home in the King George neighbourhood late Sunday.

A 31-year-old man suffered second-degree burns and was in stable condition, while a 23-year-old man sustained second- and third-degree burns and was reported in serious condition.

"They're pretty lucky to get out. I have no idea exactly how they got out," said Craig Young, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services battalion chief. "I was told that they had to dive out a window . . . they were keeping pretty quiet as to what happened."

Firefighters arrived just after 10:45 p.m. Sunday to find the house at 1123 Ave. K South engulfed in flames, with the front windows broken out and the front wall pushed out several inches. People in the area reported hearing an explosion, with a neighbour across the street saying his whole house shook.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in less than 20 minutes.

Saskatoon police spokeswoman Alyson Edwards said there is no evidence the explosion is linked to a drug lab.

Damage to the house is estimated at $100,000.

-with Canadian Press files

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  Saskatoon firefighters were called just before 11 p.m. to reports of an explosion and fire at a home on the 1100 block of Avenue K South.

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  The front wall of a home on Avenue K South was moved several inches during an explosion late Sunday.