ORLANDO, Fla. – Firefighters continue to investigate what caused a house to go up in flames near downtown Orlando.
The owner, who lives off Canton Street near Mills Avenue, says he heard several big explosions before seeing smoke as he was getting ready for bed.
The fire happened in one of two properties on a lot., and the family was in the front home when flames erupted in the back unit.
Juan Cartagena says he was getting ready to sleep when he heard what sounded like gunshots. The sound was so loud that neighbors responded. Cartagena said he then noticed smoke and the reflection of flames.
"As soon as I went to open the door, the windows started blowing, so I backed out and grabbed the cat, grabbed what I could. By the time the firefighters got here, the whole house was engulfed," Cartagena said.
The flames reignited at least three times, but firefighters were able to put the blaze out.
The homeowner feared it was a transformer that may have blown, causing the explosion and subsequent fire. But the Orlando Fire District chief says there are no initial signs that it may have been a transformer.
Arson investigators arrived as standard protocol, they are now looking into the cause.
No injuries were reported.