SAN ANTONIO — It was neighbors who happened to be outside who first smelled something burning and saw smoke rising in the tight-knit Alta Vista Conservation District off San Pedro.
One of those neighbors, Andrew, said a relative alerted him to a fire across the alley on West Magnolia. By the time he put shoes on and walked outside, he says, he found other neighbors already involved in a rescue effort.
"There was already two people, three people here. They already had somebody calling 911," Andrew said. "Within five minutes we had all the dogs taken care of between three neighbors."
Suzie, who was house and petsitting at the residence that caught fire, said she had no idea the home was ablaze until another neighbor knocked on the door.
"I saw the neighbor at the front door and he said, 'Your house is on fire!'"
She said when he pointed to the back of the house, she found smoke and flames, as well as neighbors who helped save her and the pets.
"All the pets are accounted for. Two (neighbors) took two and one took two and so they are all safe. I'm safe thanks to the wonderful community," Suzie said.
The home owner, she said, is out of state at this time.
The fire department showed up fast and saved not only the home, but many family keepsakes inside.
"They started bringing out pictures and things they thought might get water damage, which is very important to me and my family and my niece," Suzie said.
Andrew said he was not at all surprised by the response.
"It's the amazing diversity of San Antonio," he said. "It's very diverse. People around here care about one another in a very San Antonio fashion. We're not the big city; it's a small-town vibe in this neighborhood. It's really, really cool to see and to be a part of."
The fire incident commander said the quick response by neighbors was important in an area where many of the homes are 100 years old or older.
"If it had gone a few more minutes unchecked, it definitely could have spread to other houses," Chief David Prado said. "These old houses, they go up quick. I've made many a multiple alarms in this area."
The area of origin for the fire appeared to be between the first and second floors of the home in the back part of the structure, according to Prado, who added investigators were actively looking for the possible cause.
Prado said while the team did a good job of knocking down the fire quickly, they planned to invest more time making sure to check for hot spots to prevent a rekindle.
"There are void spaces where fire can hide," Prado said.
Summarizing the sentiments of several neighbors, Andrew said: "When tragedy hits like this, it's not fun. But knowing you have people around you that can help and that are there for you even when you are out of town, it's encouraging."