An explosion ripped through a vacant Oak Park home early Sunday morning, completely destroying the house. Fortunately there were no injuries and no lives lost. The fire, with explosion was reported shortly after 2:00 A.M. Sacramento Firefighters were on scene in about three minutes.

The fire was contained to a small portion of the house and surrounding trees, but the house was destroyed. Firefighters were able to search the home and they did not find any victims inside. Crews from Pacific Gas and Electric were on scene and they were unable to find any signs of a natural gas leak. The cause of the fire and explosion is currently under investigation by Sacramento Fire Department Investigators.

In the past couple of weeks we have experienced a few vacant home fires. There has been speculation that they have all been connected, possibly started by the same person(s). Although this is certainly possible, so far, our Fire Investigators have not determined that a serial arsonist is responsible.

It is common for the Sacramento Fire Department and surrounding fire agencies to have fires in vacant homes. With the current foreclosure issue, we are bound to have more. Some homeowners believe that burning their home will get them out of their mortgage. The truth is it will not get them out of their mortgage, but it will get them in jail! When a home burns, the homeowners insurance company also have an interest in what caused the fire, and believe me, if it is determined the homeowners has intentionally set the fire, the insurance company will not pay.

Also vacant homes tend to attract the wrong kind of people. Illegal drug users, transients, kids playing, and vandals all contribute to this growing problem. These groups of people will participate in various activities which are conducive to starting fires.

The Sacramento Fire Department once again wants to remind everyone to keep an eye out in your neighborhood for any suspicious activity especially in and around abandoned homes. You are encouraged to contact local law enforcement if you witness anything unusual around these properties.