A northeastern San Antonio home went up in flames early Tuesday morning, with officials pointing to a homemade wood-burning sauna as the likely culprit. Firefighters raced to Castle Throne Drive near Eisenhauer Road after a 1:09 a.m. distress call, reported by KENS 5, to find the attic and overhang of the residence fiercely ablaze.
San Antonio Fire Department quickly set to work to extinguish the blaze which had rapidly spread to the living room's attic. According to firefighters, three inhabitants were able to safely make it out, however, they're expect to be displaced for at least a night or two. The source of the fire is believed to have been the wood-burning sauna, apparently left on long enough to catch the overhang, which then allowed the fire to quickly spread upwards.
Thankfully, SAFD's prompt response meant the fire was soon under control. Despite the speedy extinguishment, the damage is not to be underestimated, with estimates hovering around the $30,000 to $40,000 range. This incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the risks that come with heating elements within our homes, especially when overlooked or left unsupervised.
The scene on Castle Throne Drive turned from a quiet night into a fearsome display of nature's unforgiving force. "The fire caught the overhang and it got up into the attic above the living room on the back of the house," the SAFD stated to KENS 5. No injuries were reported in this incident, marking a fortunate turn amidst the fiery ordeal.
As this story continues to develop, more details may emerge about the exact circumstances leading to the fire's outbreak. For now, the incident remains a cautionary tale about the inherent dangers of home amenities like wood-burning stoves and saunas when they are not properly managed or turned off.
