Fire crews were called out to a house fire near Camelback Road and 19th Avenue after neighbors reported hearing explosions Saturday morning.
Smoke billowed high into the sky, filling the street below with a thick haze.
Bright flames engulfed a home on Denton and 21st Avenue in central Phoenix.
By the time I pulled around here it was already engulfed...I pulled onto Denton. I could see into the house, I couldn't believe what I was seeing," said Jackie Fuller, a neighbor.
"It sounded like a muffled explosion, it sounded like the explosion came from the inside," said Dan Fuller, a neighbor.
Witnesses called 911 just after 7 a.m.; Phoenix Fire confirmed what they reported.
"There are preliminary indications by what the structure looks like, with some of the brick walls laying to the outside. There was some type of explosion from the inside blasting outwards," said Phoenix Fire Capt. Tony Mure.
Phoenix Fire tells us that at one point, crews deliberately let the fire burn in the back of the house, where the gas meter is located. They say it was a defensive move so the fire wouldn't continue spread.
"We know the lady really well and we have a lot of connection and now it's burned down...it's like the house is gone with her and it's just sad," said Sinh Lee, a neighbor.
Neighbors tell FOX 10 the house was unoccupied, but was being cared for by the previous owners family. She passed away a few years ago.
They're just glad that no one was hurt as a result of the fire.
Homes near the burning structure were evacuated as a precaution and about a dozen homes were without gas temporarily.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
