PASADENA (CNS) – Two men were killed and one suffered critical injuries this morning in an explosion and fire at a two-story boarding-type house in Pasadena.

The fire at 1385 El Sereno Avenue just north of Washington Boulevard broke out around 2:45 a.m., Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

The initial call reported an explosion, and arriving firefighters found flames and heavy smoke in the house, which had two stories and an attic, she said.

The injured victim was taken to a hospital for treatment, and the blaze displaced 19 people, who were awaiting the arrival of Red Cross personnel this morning, Derderian said, describing the stricken structure as “a boarding-type facility.”

The fire threatened but did not damage two adjacent homes, which were evacuated as around 40 firefighters battled the flames, Derderian said.

The fire was knocked in about 20 minutes, she said, adding that Pasadena firefighters were assisted by crews from the Glendale and South Pasadena fire departments.

The cause of the explosion and fire were under investigation, Derderian said.

The front of the building was structurally compromised as a result of the blast and fire, she said.

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