A fire to a storage shed on Meadow Lane on Monday morning spread to two nearby vehicles, causing an explosion apparently caused by tires rupturing, with two homes also sustaining damage, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue. However, no significant injuries were reported.

The fire started in a backyard shed at roughly 7 a.m. and was knocked down by about 8:30 a.m., with the cause still under investigation, said CCFR Assistant Chief Sam Russell. Numerous people in the area reported hearing an explosion, which he said was probably from two vehicles parked nearby.

“The tires blew which causes air into the fire, which makes it look like a big fireball,” he said.

The house on the property with the shed as well as a neighboring house also suffered damage, Russell said.

“The back windows blew out in a couple of cases and there’s a little bit of flame damage to the siding, but the primary structures — both residences — are relatively unscathed all things considered,” he said.

There were no people or pets in the house on the property when firefighters arrived on scene, Russell said. He said there were a number of chickens in the backyard area “all huddled up against the fence (and) it sounds like they all made it out.”

The storage shed and two vehicles are considered a total loss, he said.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.