The sound of an explosion was heard before a brush fire threatened houses on Dee Jay and Dane Lanes Monday afternoon according to an eyewitness.

The fire, which burned a quarter acre of land, happened in a wooded area between the two streets and was reported at approximately 12:30 p.m. By 12:45 p.m.. Wareham firefighters had the flames knocked down, but were still extinguishing hot spots scattered throughout the area.

Dana Lane resident Mike Roomey reported hearing a blast, similar to a car loudly backfiring, right before the fire started.

“No one was burning in the area at the time,” said Roomey. “After the blast, the fire started to move pretty fast toward the houses. The flames got about 10 feet from my own house.”

According to emergency broadcasts, the Wareham Fire Department received multiple calls as the fire grew, including one call from the Carver Fire Tower. The person stationed there reported seeing smoke from the blaze.

According to Wareham Fire Department officials, the fire started after an insulator on a nearby telephone pole short circuited. The short threw sparks onto the vacant lot below, igniting the brush. No injuries were reported and no homes were damaged.