A fire destroyed a home south of Bismarck on Wednesday morning.

Bismarck Rural Fire Chief Al Klein said firefighters were dispatched to the home at around 10:15 a.m. The initial report was of smoke and flames in the basement of the house at 3803 E. Regent Drive. By the time firefighters arrived minutes later, the house was engulfed in flames, Klein said.

Smoke billowing from the house could be seen from miles away. Flames glowed orange through the windows and eventually burned through the roof, eating away at the shingles until all that remained were walls.

Several propane tanks on the deck behind the house caught fire, causing small explosions, Klein said. He said the explosions did not cause any additional damage.

Klein said the home was a total loss. However, no one was hurt in the blaze. The house, owned by Anthony Danzl, had been evacuated before firefighters arrived on scene. Danzl declined to comment.

The fire was contained by about 11 a.m., but Klein said firefighters were still getting the remainder of the embers extinguished and "mopping up."

"We don't know what caused the fire," he said.

Assistant Chief Dan Burgard said Thursday afternoon that the fire marshall was investigating the cause of the fire, but it likely will be ruled an accidental fire.

Metro Ambulance and the Red Cross were on scene at the fire.

Melanie Moen, emergency services director with the Red Cross, said the family received the basic services from the Red Cross and will not be in need of further assistance.

(Reach Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)