LEWISTON — A pair escaped Friday afternoon when the back of their house on Dumont Avenue went up in flames about 3 p.m.

Witnesses reported seeing thick, black smoke rising from 76 Dumont Ave. followed by a series of what sounded like explosions.

“It was thick black smoke and then just pop, pop, pop,” said Sue Beland, who ran to the scene from her home on a nearby street. “I could hear a woman screaming to call 911.”

Beland called for help and then remained at the scene to offer assistance to the victims.

A neighbor said one person who lives in the home attempted to battle the flames with a garden hose before the blaze got out of control.

Crews fought the fire on several fronts, attempting to keep the flames from spreading farther into the house and to a nearby home.

Early reports were that the fire started in a garage behind the home, although a fire official later said it appeared to have started on a deck between the house and garage.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away, including in some areas of Auburn. The building that burned was said to be engulfed in flames when fire crews first arrived.

As crews attacked the blaze and police shut down nearby streets, the mother and son who live in the home sat barefoot in the grass across the street, being consoled by neighbors.

It was not immediately clear how many people were inside the house when the fire started, but no injuries were reported.

A fire official said a family of four lives at the home but will be unable to return due to extensive damage.

By 4 p.m., fire crews had the blaze under control, although they remained at the scene snuffing out hot spots. Lewiston fire investigators were at the scene waiting to begin searching for the cause of the blaze.

An Auburn fire crew was sent to Lewiston to fill in while Lewiston fire crews remained at the scene.

Dumont Avenue is off Lisbon Street between Webber and South avenues. Police shut down traffic at several intersections in the area as the blaze was being fought.