By News staff
CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- Fire and utility crews are investigating after a home exploded in Cranston Saturday morning.
The blast, which neighbors say was felt three blocks away, happened shortly after 7 a.m. on Piedmont Street. The entire back of the house was blown apart and the house was jolted off its foundation. Several nearby homes also suffered damage.
Fire officials say there was a small fire in the basement of the home after the explosion, but have not yet determined what caused the blast.
An elderly man was home at the time of the explosion and was rescued from the basement by a neighbor who rushed over to help. That neighbor says that the victim was burned but alert, and was taken to the hospital.