ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – There were no injuries after two Metro East homes in separate communities were heavily damaged by fires Tuesday morning.

FOX 2’s Nissan Rogue Runner Brian Howe was on the scene of one of the fires that took place on the 300 block of North 72nd Street in Cahokia Heights. Fire crews received a call just before 1 a.m., and when they arrived, flames were already coming from the home.

Fortunately, firefighters say nobody was inside the house when the fire started. According to Cahokia Heights fire officials, arson is suspected in the cause of the fire. An investigation is ongoing and the state fire marshal has been called in to help figure out a suspected cause.

About twenty minutes earlier, another fire broke out at a home on Conley Avenue in Madison County’s Wood River. According to the Wood River Fire Chief, one man was asleep inside when the fire started. Officials say the man initially tried to put the fire out himself but was not able to, leading to fire crews being called in.

Fire crews rushed to the scene, doing their best to save the home but it sustained significant damage from the flames. Fortunately, the man inside was able to make it out okay.

The Wood River Chief told Howe that it appears the fire started when a blanket fell onto a space heater, sparking the flames.