2 dead, including 4-year-old, after Michigan home fire and explosion, officials say

A 4-year-old child and a 55-year-old woman have died after a house fire and explosion in Flint, Michigan, on Monday night, authorities said.

Emergency responders were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. Monday after reports came in of people possibly being trapped inside a home. 

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said all people have been accounted for as of Tuesday afternoon, and Fire Chief Raymond Barton said two people remained in the hospital, including the 4-year-old girl's father. 

The girl was originally reported missing, but crews found her body in the rubble of her home, authorities said at a news conference Tuesday.

“This is a tragic time for our community,” Neeley said.

The cause of the explosion, which has caused structural damage to 30 homes in the area, displaced residents, and burned-out cars, is not yet known, the mayor said.

Aisha Lott, who lives nearby, said she felt an explosion and the blast rocked her house.

“It was like a really loud boom, and my house shook,” she said. There were reports the explosion was felt miles away.

Utilities at 27 houses in the area have been shut off, said director of public works Mike Brown at the Tuesday news conference.

Consumers Energy spokesman Brian Wheeler

said Tuesday morning that the utility found no evidence of gas leaks or other issues with Consumers Energy's gas system that runs to the house that exploded. He said the utility is working with local authorities to investigate the explosion.

The investigation is ongoing. 

Contributing: Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press.