Firefighters urge SA homeowners to stay alert as low humidity and blustery winds pose fire risk

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio homeowner, Pam says she was on the south-side when she got a panicked phone call from a family member telling her their 1930s east-side homestead was ablaze.

She said as soon as she got on the freeway to race home, she was horrified to see heavy black smoke on the horizon.

Getting closer to home, she said she realized the nightmare was reality, but it wasn't their original home that was lost. It was a 500 square foot casita on the lot.

"It was actually my daughter's house. We were in the process of remodeling it," Pam said.

Fire officials say the blaze was the start of an inferno that jumped three city blocks and eventually damaged or destroyed six houses and one shed.

They said the fire started on Nolan Street, spread north to Bluebonnet and then jumped again to Orphan Street.

"We had a total of seven structures that were impacted, with the original structure being a total loss," said Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Norris.

Norris said more than 30 fire units responded, coming from as far away as Austin Highway.

While he expressed relief that there were no injuries during the fight, Norris said San Antonio remains under a threat of more serious blazes.

"The biggest thing is with the weather patterns that we're seeing, as dry as it is, everybody just needs to have a heightened level of awareness," Norris said. "Everybody knows we haven't had any rain for a while."

Norris said with the blustery front that passed through the city early in the day Wednesday, everyone should be vigilant.

"As embers spread, coming out from a structure fire, it's going to light off anything that is a dry material," Norris said.

Rosa, who said she recently moved to Bluebonnet Street, said she didn't even know her neighbor until after the fire Tuesday.

Surveillance video from a camera mounted on her house captured images of her neighbor racing in with a pot of water to put out burning embers that were catching a backyard shed on fire.

"Thank God she was there!" Rosa said.

Rosa said because the neighbor alerted firefighters, they kept a dangerous situation from spreading to her house.

"They jumped my fence and went there. It definitely could have wrecked the house if it wasn't for her," Rosa said.

With Booker T. Washington Elementary just 100 yards away in an area home to lots of kids, fire officials say it is always a good time to review home safety procedures.

Safety videos for adults and children can be found on the fire department website .

The office of District 2 City Council Representative Jalen McKee-Rodriguez provided the following statement.

"Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the large fire that occurred on October 15 and spread to several homes and a shed on Bluebonnet Street and Nolan Street. We are extremely grateful to hear no one was injured and a dog was rescued. Our office is currently awaiting more information from the San Antonio Fire Department on the cause and next steps. We are glad the residents are connected with organizations such as the American Red Cross. My office is here and available to assist the impacted families with any City services they may need, including housing relocation."