SAN ANTONIO — A massive fire at a vacant home north of downtown spread to two other homes Friday morning, fire crews said.
The fire started around 6 a.m. in the 800 block of West Poplar, near Cyprus Street.
Fire crews on the scene say the fire in the vacant home may have started from transients who were seeking shelter in the home. The flames were so intense, the structure is now nearly gone.
The fire spread to the homes on either side of the vacant home. Fire crews say no one was injured.
Victor Villareal has lived in the Five Points neighborhood for eight years. He witnessed the chaos from his porch.
"It was so hot you could feel the heat from here," Villareal said.
He said there's a problem with homeless people roaming around the streets trying to gain access to vacant homes and people's property.
Villareal said he spotted three individuals on Thursday starting a fire at the vacant home that's since been destroyed.
“I told the police they’re out here, they’re making BBQ or a fire or something. They said okay we’ll send somebody. But nobody ever came," Villareal said.
Villareal said these are the same people who were at the scene of Friday's fire, one of whom was carrying a gasoline can and observed being placed in cuffs by police.
Marcela Espinoza has experienced issues with the houseless population as well. She's a mother who fears for her safety.
“It’s dangerous now. I understand people need to be somewhere but not in our properties. They’re coming into our homes, they’re literally opening up our gates and trying to stay at our home," Espinoza said.
KENS 5 reached out to police and fire officials regarding the person who was being detained. Neither department could provide additional details.
This is a developing story and further details will be added as they are received.
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