A 76-year-old man who was rescued from his Hamilton home after a natural gas explosion on Tuesday afternoon has been charged with arson.

Emergency crews responded to the explosion at around 2:15 p.m. at a residence on Gibson Avenue, which is in the area of Birch Avenue and Barton Street.

Nearby residents were briefly evacuated from their homes after the explosion leveled the one-storey residence and damaged neighbouring homes, police said.

According to investigators, the 76-year-old man was initially trapped in the destroyed home but was freed by officials after about an hour. Family and neighbours at the scene told CP24 he is blind.

The man was taken to hospital with unknown injuries following the explosion.

People at the scene also said the man was known to have a service dog with him, which rescuers could not make contact with after the explosion. But, officers later confirmed the dog was located amongst the debris.

The black Labrador Retriever, named “Flannel,” was taken to an animal hospital to be treated for unspecific injuries before being returned to family members.

Speaking at the scene, witnesses told CP24 they heard a loud blast and saw “a white cloud” rising from the rubble.

“Me and the young lad across the street were the first ones there and we just started hollering to see where he was because we knew he was there – he is by himself and he is blind,” a witness said. “We just walked around the foundation hollering and finally he hollered up at us so we knew he was alive."

As well, neighbours told CTV News Toronto that the man’s wife died in August and he has been “different” since.

“Considering everything he’s going through since his wife passed and everything, but to hear he’s charged with arson – I’m completely shocked,” Rick Rieley said. “He just started walking by and not saying ‘hi’ anymore. So to hear this I’m really upset I’m shocked actually. I’m sure the whole neighbourhood is.”

After Hamilton police and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office executed a search warrant of the home, officers said the homeowner was charged with arson.

The suspect was identified as Murdoch Campbell by Hamilton police.