JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- A house was completely leveled in Jeffersonville overnight after an explosion sent five people to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

According to a press release from Jeffersonville Police Department, first responders were called to the 900 block of Washington Way around 11:40 p.m. When police arrived, they found five people in the front yard, who were all injured from the blast. The house was still engulfed in flames when the Jeffersonville Fire Department arrived to put it out, as EMS began treating the victims.

Two people were taken to a nearby hospital by helicopter, while the other three were taken in an ambulance. It's unclear if all five were residents of the home.

In an update Thursday afternoon, police said preliminary findings have "yielded no evidence of malicious intent." Police said all five victims sustained life-threatening injuries. 

A video sent from a viewer showed the intensity of the flames.

This video from WDRB viewer Reynaldo Castro shows the home in flames after it exploded late Wednesday evening.

Neighbor Kevin Broughton told WDRB he heard the explosion and ran outside, where he heard people screaming. He said he helped pull a man and woman from the home with "serious burns" on their body.

"They were burnt up pretty bad, especially on their arms and legs," Broughton said. He said he had to "bust through a wall" to get to the woman, and the man was covered in debris. "It was like the roof and insulation was all over him. I just had to reach in. I wasn't gentle, but I got him out as quickly as I could. I hope they're all doing okay."

Broughton said he was putting his mother to bed when the explosion happened. "It about threw me on top of my mother. I thought a car had ran through our home."

Stoney Harris said he heard a loud boom, "something like a bomb going off." 

Officials said the fire was a challenge to put out based on the way the home exploded, with some of the debris falling into the basement. 

2019 nearby explosion

Just over five years ago, a natural gas leak caused a house to explode in Jeffersonville, killing one person and injuring two others. That home was located just a block away, and neighbors like Jennifer James are now on edge. 

James said the situation is "very scary because it's the second one in just a few years." Now she's wondering if the same thing could happen again at her house. 

"My house is gas, and I feel like the last house that blew up was gas, and this house here, I think, is gas," James said. "So yes, that is a big concern." 

Investigators found out the 2019 explosion was caused by an increase in natural gas. 

Just over five years ago, a gas leak caused a home in the Capitol Hills neighborhood to explode, killing one person and injuring two others.

Caleb Badger, who was in middle school when the 2019 explosion happened, said if this continues happening it needs to be brought up to state or city officials.

"I'm surprised they haven't checked the rest of the neighborhood," Badger said.

Jacob Long, who also lives nearby, said he shares the same concerns. "I could see it happening again," he said, adding that "we need more police presence coming through here, patrolling." 

There were two homes build where the 2019 explosion happened. 

"I hope the gas companies that are in charge of those houses come out and check them," Badger said. "I think that's the only thing they really can do at this point other than compensate the family"

IMAGES | Explosion destroys home in southern Indiana neighborhood

Crews will remain on scene throughout the day, cleaning up the debris so officials could get a better understanding at what caused the explosion.

Just after 4 p.m. Superior Restoration of Kentuckiana put a fence around the property.

WDRB reached out to CenterPoint Energy, the utility that provides gas to the neighborhood. An official there told us that gas services have been shut off to the home as a precaution. The company said in a written statement that no leaks have been detected, but crews will continue checking the neighborhood signs of leaks.

Here is the full text of the written statement sent to WDRB Thursday morning: 

"We extend our heartfelt thoughts to all those affected by the incident in Jeffersonville. The safety and well-being of the community remain our highest priority.

CenterPoint Energy responded to a report of an explosion late last night. As part of our emergency response, the area was secured and natural gas service was shut off at the home where the incident occurred as a precaution.

No leaks have been detected on CenterPoint Energy’s system in the vicinity of the incident. The cause of the incident remains under investigation. As a precautionary step, we are continuing to perform leak surveys in the surrounding area. We will continue to support the ongoing investigation and defer to the findings of the appropriate investigating agencies once they are available."

Washington Way is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day as the investigation continues. Police said there's no danger to the public.

WDRB did see a few people stopping to take pictures, but Jeffersonville police are asking people to avoid the area as they determine what led to the explosion. 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 

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