A San Antonio man set his own house ablaze as a backyard trash burning went horribly wrong earlier today, according to local reports. Firefighters were called to the scene on the 1200 block of Saltillo Street, in the city's west side, after flames from the trash fire spread to the man's home and a nearby garage apartment, as reported by KENS 5.
The fire department's rapid response could not prevent the fire from reaching the attic where it intensified, causing a gas valve to break, which in turn, led to a call out for CPS Energy to secure the scene and determine the extent of the damages. The property damage inflicted by this accidental inferno is estimated to be in the range of $40,000 to $50,000, fortunately, there were no physical injuries reported, as per FOX San Antonio.
Local authorities have not arrested the homeowner but did detain him following the disaster which unfolded just as the city was waking up to a new week. Officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage and the investigation into the incident continues as this story develops.
San Antonio's firefighting teams and CPS Energy worked in cohesion to contain the fire, and ensure the safety of the neighborhood. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of open burning within city limits, CPS was able to promptly shut off the gas, preventing a bad situation from possibly becoming catastrophic. KENS5 has a long history of reporting local events since its inception in 1950 and continues its commitment to delivering news that impacts the community it serves.
