The cause of an “explosion” and fire that damaged a home near Carthage is still under investigation, officials say.

Firefighters from Carthage and five other departments responded to a home west of Carthage on Barber Road at approximately 3:10 p.m. Wednesday.

The homeowner was at a neighbor’s house swimming, when she “said she heard a loud explosion,” said Brian Tyner, Carthage fire chief.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, flames could be seem coming from the roof of the home.

No one was home at the time of the fire. Firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour and rescued two family pets.

Tyner was unsure of the cause of the fire, but said it could have started in an outdoor grill. He did not have a damage estimate Thursday morning.

Seven Lakes, Eastwood, West End, Cameron and Whispering Pines fire departments also were dispatched.