The arson-caused explosion that decimated a Chandler house, destroyed another and could be felt for miles around is unlike any seasoned investigators have ever witnessed.

"It's an arson," Chandler police Detective Seth Tyler said Monday of the blast that leveled the single-story, 1,200-square foot home at 2309 E. Boston St. "Homes don't just explode by themselves."

Photos: Chandler house explosion

Investigators immediately ruled out natural gas as the cause, as no gas lines run through the electricity-powered neighborhood of modest homes in the eastern edge of Chandler.

Late Monday, Chandler police and fire and Maricopa County Arson Task Force investigators were attempting to identify what triggered a blast so intense it rattled walls and windows and so loud that neighbors thought a plane had crashed.

"I have never seen anything like this in the world," said Chandler Fire Battalion Chief Brad Miller, a phrase that was repeated by investigators, police, neighbors and Salt River Project employees.

A methamphetamine lab, large amounts of flammable liquid, a mixture of volatile chemicals, or a bomb are among possible causes to explosions this extreme, officials said.

"If you don't have gas, other things could be criminal in nature," Miller said.

The home owner, Fernando Guerrero, 62, said he was as surprised as his neighbors when he returned to what had once been his house early Monday after a night out. Guerrero said he had gone out to dinner and then watched wrestling at a bar.

"I am shocked," said Guerrero, who described himself as a retiree with rheumatoid arthritis. "There is not much I can tell."

Court records indicate Guerrero went into foreclosure in 2007 on a $700,000 Mesa home and is seeking a court-ordered reduction in spousal payments. Investigators interviewed him early Monday, but Tyler said at the time Guerrero was not considered an investigative lead, Tyler said.

When the "boom" sounded at about 10:50 p.m. Sunday, more than 100 Chandler residents flooded 911 lines and many streamed to the scene of what several described as the "orange glow."

Chandler fire officials arrived less than five minutes later, but the house was already decimated, glass hurled into the street and whole pieces of roof resting on the ground.

"I've never seen a roof blown completely off the house," Kevin Parker, Salt River Project journeyman said Monday. "Usually when we show up the walls are up still. The walls went completely down."

Flames raged in the attic and roof of the home to the east, which also was destroyed, and the woman who lived there was safely evacuated, Miller said.

Chandler police Officer Scott Petersen, first on the scene, said the woman's son had gotten her out of the house. He had gotten a hose and was going to fight the fire when firefighters arrived.

It took about an hour to quell the blazes at the two homes, Miller said. At one point, more than 200 firefighters and civilians were at the scene, either battling the blaze or watching.

The explosion rattled walls and shook the ground. Firefighters stationed 2 1/2 miles away at McQueen and Ray roads felt the rumble, Tyler said.

"It's the biggest explosion I've heard," said neighbor Sarah Slade. "I've heard gun shots, I've heard backfires and I've heard firecrackers, but I've never heard anything like that."