NORTH ATTLEBORO -- Firefighters trained hoses Monday on two propane tanks that were feeding the flames at a fire at large colonial style house.

An explosion blew out basement windows which caused multiple small fires in the basement of the home, fire Capt.Richard Paquin said.

No one was injured in the fire, reported about 4:15 p.m. at 343 Paine Road.

Damage to the house was estimated at $75,000, with fire damage to the basement and some of the first floor. All three floors of the house were damaged by smoke.

The first firefighters on the scene reported a basement fire, but quickly found the flames were fed by two of three propane cylinders outside the house. Paquin said the fire appears to have started when one of two 100-pound propane tanks leaked into the basement of the house and the gas ignited.

The cause of the ignition is under investigatiion, he said.

As more firefighters arrived they sprayed water at the flames to keep the propane cylinders cool and prevent them from exploding.

Police shut down Paine Road and Sheldonville Road where it intersects with Paine as a precaution.

Police said an occupant of the house reported hearing a loud pop, smelled smoke and ushered everyone out the house.

Firefighters left the house after 8 p.m., and worked with the company that services the propane tanks to bleed the remaining propane in the two tanks involved in the fire.

A third, larger, propane tank was not involved in the fire, officials said.

Paquin said residents of the house were staying with relatives Monday night.

Names of residents and the number of people displaced were not immediately available.