Neighbors in Campbell watched nervously as a house on their street went up in flames Tuesday morning. They were concerned for two reasons. First, because their neighbor was losing their house, but many said they were also worried that the heavy winds might cause the flames to spread.
Firefighters said they had the same concern, so they called in extra crews to help fight the fire.
The home on Welker Court was a total loss. Firefighters said there were flames coming from the roof when they arrived. They think the fire started in the back bedroom.
Some embers flew to nearby palm trees, but firefighters were able to put the flames out. They spent hours looking for possible embers on other homes in the neighborhood, but did not find any evidence the embers had spread to anything but the trees.
Kristi Ruptrecht told NBC Bay Area's Marianne Favro that she rents the home with her boyfriend. She said they were able to get their dog out themselves, but gave credit to the firefighters for saving a pet bunny.
Investigators said the fire was caused by discarded cigarettes in the back yard that were fanned by high winds, and caught a nearby bush on fire. The fire then spread up a wall and set fire to the wood-shingled roof, and then into the attic.
The fire has caused an estimated $250,000 in damages. At this time the house is not inhabitable.
No one was hurt in the blaze.
