BIG LAKE -- Emergency crews responded to an explosion and house fire in Big Lake Monday afternoon.

The incident happened just before 12:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Hiawatha Avenue.

Big Lake Police Chief Joel Scharf says two reserve officers were on patrol when the saw the house on fire, and arrived to find the home fully engulfed.

Preliminary reports says the homeowner smelled gas and was in the process of exiting when the house exploded and became engulfed in flames.

Members of the Big Lake and Monticello Fire Departments were able to extinguish the blaze.

The victim was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

The home and two vehicles are a complete loss. The State Fire Marshal is investigation the cause of the fire.

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