SAN ANTONIO -- Fire investigators on Tuesday were at a loss to explain what caused a far West Bexar County home to go up in flames.
The fire broke out Monday evening in the 500 block of Point Springs, in the High Point subdivision.
The homeowner, Aaron Ryan, said he was returning from work at the time and noticed smoke pouring from his chimney when he rounded a corner.
"As soon as I opened the garage door, smoke just came billowing out," he said. "I ran in, trying to find my cats."
Neighbors had to help Ryan out of the burning home. He was treated for minor smoke inhalation.
By mid-morning Tuesday, he was back at the scene of the fire, saying he felt better physically.
Emotionally, though, the sum of his losses had begun to take a toll.
"Luckily, I wasn't home, but it's still a loss and I don't know how to deal with it right now," Ryan said.
Like his neighbors, Ryan also had begun to add up the fact that this now makes two homes in his neighborhood that have burned recently.
A couple just down the street lost their home to fire New Year's Day.
Investigators later determined it was caused by an electrical problem, and that has others in the subdivision speculating that the homes themselves could be sparking the fires.
As Bexar County fire investigators sifted through the rubble Tuesday morning looking for clues, one neighbor began taking matters into her own hands.
The unidentified woman was spotted posting flyers on her neighbors' doors, urging them to demand a town hall meeting with the builder, which it listed as Lennar Homes.
Lennar Homes' division president, David Grove, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon concerning the fires.
"Lennar recently learned that there have been two fire incidents in the Westcreek Community over the past several months," the statement read. "Our first concern is the safety of our homeowners. We have been on the scene of both incidents and have spoken with the fire investigators. At this time, we have no reason to believe that the fires are related. We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities and will continue to keep our homeowners advised of any developments in the situation."
In the meantime, the homeowners say they want answers and reassurance that their homes won't be the next to go up in flames.
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