An explosion and fire at a house in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston left two elderly people seriously injured on Wednesday night, WBUR-TV reported.

Six others that also lived in the house suffered less serious injuries, according to Fire Commissioner John Hasson.

First responders said the two most severely hurt were treated for critical burns, and a total of 11 people were transported to hospitals for evaluation.

According to one eyewitness, the house "burst into flames" around 9:20 p.m.

Hasson told the local TV station that natural gas is suspected as the cause behind the incident, which was under control by 10:15 p.m. He also said some damage was done to a neighboring home.

"It sounded like a bomb went off right next to my house," neighbor Santos Jones told the Boston Herald. "I will never forget that sound. ... It sounded like an asteroid hit our roof."

Another neighbor, Jacqueline Jones, said the explosion shook the entire street.

"I was in my room. 
Everything in the house just shook," Jones told the Herald. "The whole neighborhood shook. I thought my house was hit by a car ... But then I went outside and everything was in flames. The whole house was engulfed."

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said shelter is being arranged for people affected by the fire.

"These things keep on happening. It's sad," Walsh said, referring to recently fatal fires. "I think everybody here will be OK. I heard it was a gas explosion, but they will investigate that. Right now, what's important is getting everyone safe."