A fire destroyed two cars and partially damaged a home in East Kendall on Monday morning while the family was sleeping inside.
Neighbors told NBC 6 they believe the fire is related to a series of break-ins and vandalisms at nearby homes.
Two flares were stolen from a boat at a home just a few houses away on Southwest 100th Avenue, fueling speculation that someone may have used the flare to start the blaze.
"We did hear from police that there were several other reports of vandalism in the neighborhood. If that's related to this, we don't know at this point," Battalion Chief Tony Garcia said.
Danie Beck and her family got out of the house safely.
"I got up and ran to the front of the house. Why I opened the door, I don't know, but I did and there were the flames," Beck said. "I woke up my husband and said, 'Honey, our house is on fire.' Those are the scariest words I've ever said in my life."
Beck said her family had spent the past two years remodeling the home. Her daughter spent her childhood in the house and said the family lost irreplaceable items.
"All of our family pictures and everything that she was getting ready to bring up to the North Carolina house, everything was in that room. It's very heartbreaking," Kimberly Thompson said.
Beck said her family will stay in a neighbor's vacant home while they try to repair the damage.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
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