Fire caused extensive damage to the William Strauss residence on South Spring Valley Road in Junction City on  Sunday Night.

There were no injuries. Junction City Fire Department officials believe the cause of the fire may have been a possible gas grill explosion.

Dennis Wetklow, Fire Department Battalion Chief, explained there was an explosion and the back of the house caught on fire. He said the residents had been grilling hamburgers. At the time of the explosion  authorities learned the residents were in their house, and had finished eating dinner when there was a big boom.” Everything came through the windows, obviously the fire was there, and they got out of the house. ”

Wetklow reported that Junction City Mayor Mick McCallister, who lives nearby, heard the boom, and alerted authorities about the fire. “He heard the boom from his house and called it in. ” The Battalion Chief said if there had been a delayed response where the victims had to walk across the street to have someone call for them the fire would have been worse, with another  2-3 minutes in response time by firefighters.

There was major damage to the back of the house, kitchen, and attic area  of the residence.

Wetklow estimated damage at $80,000 to $90,000 to the structure, and another $40,000 to $60,000 to the contents.  The home was  insured, and after the fire the Strauss’s are staying with relatives.