BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A home on Chagrin River Road exploded early Friday morning while firefighters were attempting to put out a fire at the residence. The cause of the fire and the explosion are still unknown, according to fire officials.

The fire at 17495 Chagrin River Road was reported by a passerby just before 6 a.m. Friday, said Bainbridge Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Bill Lowell. Lowell said the fire may have been burning even before this, as there was dense fog in the area Friday morning.

When fire crews arrived at the scene, three-fourths of the home was on fire, Lowell said. The Bainbridge Fire Department was assisted by crews from Solon, Chagrin Falls and Auburn Township. Lowell said he fire was "deep seeded" in the basement when crews arrived, and construction debris complicated firefighting.

The explosion occurred around 6:30 a.m. as crews were battling the blaze, Lowell said. No one was injured, but the force of the explosion caused neighboring homes and vehicles to shake. It is still unclear what caused the explosion. The State Fire Marshal's office and the Geauga County fire investigation unit will be working throughout the day to try to determine the cause of the fire and explosion.

Lowell said an electrical transformer near the home was shorting when crews arrived, which may have contributed to the strength of the blaze. The homeowner also stored chemicals in the home, which could have also contributed to the spread of the blaze, he said.

Homeowner Richard Berris Jr. said the house has been under construction for years. He currently lives in a home about three miles away from the site of the explosion.

"It was almost like a Catch 22," Berris Jr. said. "I couldn't pull money out of my current home to finish this one, but I couldn't move into this home until my current home sold. I flat out don't understand what could have happened."

Berris Jr. is a research and development professional who had been storing testing and measurement equipment in the home. At least $1 million in equipment was lost in the fire, he said

"My life is permanently changed," Berris Jr. said.

As of about 11 a.m. Friday, firemen were still battling hot spots. They have called the home a total loss.