A modular house undergoing remodeling and a nearby recreational vehicle burned to the ground Sunday night in North San Juan, Fire Chief Boyd Johnson said today.

An elderly couple had recently bought the house, were having it remodeled and were living in the RV — but were not at home at the time the fire started, Johnson said. No inujuries were reported.

The building, on Highway 49 about a half-mile north of Peterson’s Corner, was a modular house with additional rooms and roofing. Neighbors living across the street heard what they described as an explosion at about 6 p.m. Sunday and went outside to see the house in flames, said Johnson, of the North San Juan Fire Protection District.

The fire appeared to have started in the area of the kitchen or laundry room, Johnson said. By the time firefighters arrived several minutes later, the house and RV next to it were “completely engaged,” Johnson said.

“Both the house and the RV were total losses,” he added.

An engine each from Nevada County Consolidated Fire Protection District, Nevada City Fire Department and Camptonville Volunteer Fire Department assisted 12 volunteer firefighters from North San Juan, Johnson said.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and the loss probably exceeds $200,000, Johnson said.

The couple has relatives in the area and is staying with them, Johnson added.

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To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.