Neighbors in Schenectady say they heard an explosion before a fire ripped through houses on Avenue B. Our Innae Park has the latest.

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Fire ripped through a home on Avenue B in Schenectady after an explosion completely flattened another.

“My boyfriend just said he heard a loud bang and it sounded like a bomb,” said Alicia Bouchard, who witnessed her house engulfed in flames.

That bang was the sound of an exploding home on the 2100 block of Avenue B. A call first came in at 3:30 p.m. for a gas leak, but that led to much worse.

Schenectady Fire Chief Michael Della Rocco said, “By the time our crews arrived, the gas had ignited and subsequently exploded.”

Flames then spread to the adjacent houses, including Bouchard’s, who was at the mall when the blaze began.

“I immediately rushed over to see the fire and I come to see the fire, the flames and I immediately broke down into tears,” she said.

For hours, crews worked to subdue the flames. In all, four homes were affected by what officials believe was a gas explosion.

“Our investigation has already begun. We’re working with the Department of General Services, also with the police department and our own investigative crews to find out what happened,” said Chief Della Rocco. “The results are typical of a gas explosion. The front, rear and both sides of the building being blown outward, and the debris field associated with that.”

Despite all the damage, no person was injured, according to the chief. He believes all the pets are safe as well.

Investigators say they will continue to look over the scene Thursday morning. As of Wednesday night, they were securing the scene and slowly moving debris, but they used extreme caution because of the threat of building collapse.

“I’m just thankful my boyfriend and daughter are safe,” said Bouchard.