June 22, 2009
Two teenagers escaped unharmed Monday afternoon after their Scottsdale home caught on fire.
Firefighters from Rural/ Metro, Phoenix and Tempe responded to the 2:30 p.m. fire in the 6400 block of East Holly Street, said Mike Clark, a Rural/Metro spokesman.
"The two teens in the homes heard a crackling noise and realized the back of the home was on fire," Clark said. "The good news is they got out and are fine."
Paramedics at the scene checked Reed Miller, 17, and Alexandra Miller, 14, and released them. Owners Rex Miller and his wife were not home at the time of the fire.
Mark Richards, whose mother lives across the street from the Millers, ran
to the burning home to see if anyone was still inside.
"It’s a shame. The home was sold two weeks ago and the new family moved in less than a week ago," Richards said. "They probably lost everything they had."
The family’s cat, dog and bird were saved by the teens, who attempted to call 911 from their home but were unable to because the lines were burned.
Fire investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fire, Clark said.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to extinguish the fire, Clark said.
Heat from the fire was so intense it melted the plastic paneling on a home next door.
