'Fireball' engulfs Brisbane home, blaze spreads to neighbouring house

Explosions have rung out in an inner-east Brisbane suburb after a large fire took hold of two houses.

About a dozen emergency services crews rushed to Gillan Street in Norman Park this afternoon after the fire caught hold of one house and began spreading to a second.

Fire crews spent almost two hours battling the blaze as flames reached as high as 10m.

It's understood it was started by a gas cylinder at a barbecue.

READ MORE: Morrison denies preselection allegations

A two-storey Queenslander was destroyed and the neighbouring property was damaged.

Witnesses heard loud explosions ring out across the street.

Paul Fraser said a "fireball" engulfed the house.

READ MORE: Queensland family finds venomous tree snake in radio

"The explosions just started getting more intense and more frequent," he said.

Mark Crowe from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the blaze was "severe" when crews arrived.

"The intensity of the fire has caused damage to a neighbouring house, significant damage to the neighbour next door," he said.

A man had to be treated for minor burns to his hand, Queensland Ambulance, said.

Investigators are looking into whether a gas bottle sparked the blaze.

Earlier, fire authorities warned locals to close windows and doors and told drivers to avoid the area.