People in a Rapid Valley neighborhood woke to a frightening scene this morning.
"I looked out my side window that faces all the houses to this side and I looked up and saw her whole back deck just engulfed in flames," neighbor Chrissy Fisher said.
The home is likely a complete loss, which is a tragedy for the family of three.
"Yes, it is a complete family and the whole neighborhood loves them," neighbor Reece Arther said.
Making matters even more difficult is that the family's father and husband is currently deployed overseas with the Air Force.
"I feel horrible for her, I wouldn't even know where to begin. I'm just worried about her and her family," Fisher said.
Fire officials say the fire began shortly before 9:30 a.m., and believe it started on the deck of the home. Before crews arrived, the fire spread to the family's gas grill and the result was explosive.
"I ran outside and as soon as I opened up my door I felt the propane tank go off back there," neighbor Reece Arther said.
"It shot towards the back of the house towards the house back there and the other part of the grill went inside. After that the fire just took off immediately," Fisher said.
The fire's intensity started the home's backyard on fire and melted the siding off of a neighboring house, but firefighters were able to gain control of it quickly.
"And the firemen, they did an exceptional job on putting out the fire. They got here quick and handled it," Fisher said.
Both the American Red Cross and the Air Force are supporting the family left homeless by the fire. Although the state fire marshall will assist with the investigation into the cause of the fire, officials don't think it's suspicious.
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