Fire investigators haven't given an official cause of what started the fire. It took 25 firefighters and seven engines to put out the flames. The family is not allowed to stay in the house but they were on scene for most of the day looking for any belongings that may be salvageable. 

 

Fire crews worked to extinguish hotspots on the roof. The fire destroyed the garage, attic and even a car in the driveway.   

 

"Our crews made an aggressive interior attack pulled a hose line inside the building and was able to push the fire outside into the garage and extinguish the fire," said Cathedral City Fire Battalion Chief John Muhr.

 

Neighbors said one of the homeowners was inside taking a shower when the water heater in the garage started to spark. 

 

"We were leaving to go to the store and we saw that their house was on fire," said neighbor Andrew Savo. "We opened up the gate and helped the guy out and his dog. Then we just got everyone back and told them to stay back until everyone came."

 

Next door neighbor, Calvin Moore saw the sparks turn to flames. He tried giving his neighbor a fire extinguisher but it was too late, so he decided to take measures to save his own home.   

 

"When the fire started I was trying to stop it from burning up that RV," said next door neighbor Calvin Moore. "I was watering down my gate and the fence and stuff."

 

Even neighbors down the road were alarmed by the flames, knowing wind in the desert can pick up and shift at any time.

 

"Thank god it was put out before it continued to spread," said neighbor Dan Neeson. "It could go from roof top to roof top, you never know." 

 

Everyone including the families dog escaped unharmed.

 

-Adrianna Weingold

aweingold@kmir6.com