Early Monday, an inferno ripped through a home on San Antonio's southeast side, leveling the structure and causing damage to the neighboring house, authorities said. The San Antonio Fire Department responded to a blaze reported just after 4:30 a.m. at a residence located on the 2500 block of Schley Avenue. By the time crews arrived, a house was already engulfed, with flames threatening to quickly spread next door, according to KSAT.
The fire appeared to have originated in the front room of the first home, with hoarding conditions presenting significant obstacles for firefighters trying to aggressively tackle the fire. A battalion chief reported that no one was found inside the initial fire site. However, officials say a person does indeed live there. The family residing on the adjacent property was able to escape without harm, as per KENS 5.
The blaze not only consumed the home but also severely damaged an SUV parked nearby and caused less extensive damage to the siding of the neighboring house. Fire departments dispatched up to 15 units to combat the fire, which also managed to catch local power lines alight, intensifying the peril and hindering the firefighting efforts.
While the residents have since been able to return to their homes, the aftermath still remains. Due partially to the hoarding within the annihilated home, authorities have indicated concerns that the cause of the fire might never be fully uncovered. "Because of the hoard, firefighters say they’re not sure if they’ll be able to find the cause of the fire," a detail provided by KSAT12. Estimates of the monetary losses have yet to be calculated, but the damage appears severe.
