BENTON – A Benton home is badly damaged following a fire on Saturday morning.
According to a release from the Benton Fire Department, crews were called to the 100 block of East Smith Street around 7:30 a.m. Saturday following an explosion at the home. When crews arrived, they noticed heavy smoke coming from the home and a woman lying on the sidewalk nearby.
Emergency crews took the woman, whose status is currently unknown, to a local hospital.
Fire crews from Benton along with West City and West Frankfort were able to get the blaze under control within a half hour. It was determined an oxygen tank exploded in the home due to extreme heat and pressure.
The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.