Investigators on Wednesday night were focusing on a laundry room in their efforts to determine what caused a fire that chased a husband, wife and their dog from their home on Cedar Drive.

Don Kniess told News Center 7 that he was in the basement when he heard an explosion from that room. He said he ran to get water and threw what amounted to “two glasses of water” on the fire.

When that proved futile, he said, he dialed 911 grabbed the family dog and left the ranch-style residence with his wife, Jo. They were not injured.

West Milton Assistant Chief David Jay confirmed Kniess’ account about the explosion, but said two investigators would be working well into the night to confirm the cause.

“We believe that was the cause of the fire,” Jay said about the explosion in the laundry room, “but we’re still investigating. There was a natural gas water heater in that room,” the assistant chief said, “but it’s difficult to tell what caused the fire.”

Fire crews were dispatched to the 100 block of Cedar at about 7 p.m. on a report of a structure fire with flames showing in the back of the home. Fire crews from Laura and Ludlow Falls assisted West Milton in battling the fire.

Jay estimated the smoke, fire, heat and water damage to the home at $75,000 to $80,000. The house was left temporarily uninhabitable, he said.