A Vicksburg grandmother was stable and her two grandsons remained in serious condition today as all continue to be treated for second- and third-degree burns from a Sunday home fire, hospital spokesmen said.

Barbara Evans, 57, 2314 Oak St., was transferred to Crossgates River Oaks Hospital in Brandon from River Region Medical Center, Vicksburg Fire Chief Charles Atkins said. Her grandsons, Robert Evans, 4, and Stephon Evans, 8, were taken to Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., hospital spokesman Anne Cordeiro said.

The fire destroyed their home and two next door at 2312 and 2316 Oak. Atkins said the flames were ignited when an electric space heater was knocked over in the bathroom.

He said an explosion, reported by neighbors and onlookers, was caused by at least two oxygen tanks in the room.

Property owner S.J. “Skippy” Tuminello said he was nearby at his antebellum home, Floweree, when the flames erupted, and the explosion shook the house.

The Mississippi Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to aid in the investigation due to the number of structures burned, Atkins said.

The fire was one of four reported in less than six weeks throughout Vicksburg that have destroyed 13 homes. Two of the multi-structure fires were  investigated as arsons and an arrest has been made in one.

Donna J. Cromeans, public relations director for the Mississippi Insurance Department, said of 512 arsons reported in the state since July 2008, 11 were in Warren County. Nine of 240 arrests in Mississippi were made throughout the county.

“Mississippi has one of the highest arson arrest and conviction rates in the country,” she said.

Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com