West Phoenix house fire leaves five people displaced

Phoenix house fire draws heroic response from neighbors

Neighbors in a Phoenix community made a split-second decision to check for residents inside a burning home before Phoenix Fire Department crews arrived to control the flames. FOX 10's Megan Spector reports.

PHOENIX - A massive house fire in West Phoenix is now under control but left five people displaced.

What we know:

The fire broke out on the morning of Wednesday, May 20, near 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. Fire officials stated that no one was injured, but the damage is extensive.

A video captured by a neighbor shows massive flames and smoke as firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire. Firefighters were able to get to the scene in a matter of minutes after the 911 calls, and it only took a few more minutes to get control.

SkyFOX coverage captured the moment flames shot through the roof at least 20 feet into the air.

Flames were so intense that fire crews retreated, but they managed to control the fire within minutes and prevented it from spreading to other homes.

The aftermath revealed a burnt roof and carport, and multiple grills in the yard were destroyed. Flames started on one side of the home and spread quickly throughout the structure.

What they're saying:

Making a split-second decision, neighbors ran to the flames.

The neighbor who took video said he ran over to the home to warn his neighbors when he saw the flames. 

"Because we’re neighbors. You know that’s what neighbors do. Watch out for each other," neighbor Gerardo Orozco said. "We went inside the house. We knocked on the door, and we checked if someone was inside. No one was in there. No pets, nothing. We tried to even turn it off and then by the time I called 911 they were like ‘You’re the second person that called, so we are on our way.’ It was exploding. The house was exploding with fire."

What's next:

An investigation is underway to find out what caused the massive flames and whether something inside the home was fueling them, but fire officials say both those questions are part of the investigation.

"There was a large fire in the whole attic space. You can see in the carport area. I don’t know if it started on the exterior and went inside. Again, that’s going to be determined by the investigators," Phoenix Fire Capt. DJ Lee said.

Even after the fire was put out, fire investigators stayed on the scene, working to determine the cause.

Map of the area