SAN ANTONIO – A family of five and their pet dogs all safely escaped a house fire early Wednesday morning, San Antonio firefighters said.
The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. at the home located in the 400 block of North San Felipe Avenue, which is located not far from Culebra Road on the city's near West Side.
Firefighters said when they arrived they found both flames and heavy black smoke already showing.
The fire likely started in a shed or on the backside of the home, fire officials said.
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The family and their pets made it safely out and will now be staying with other family in the area.
The homeowner told KSAT 12 that he was inside the house at the time of the fire, but that's not why he woke up.
It was actually the neighbor who banged on his fence when they smelled and saw the smoke.
The monetary damage caused by the fire is estimated to be $20,000.
Arson investigators have been called in to determine the cause.