PALM BAY, Fla.
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A fire that sparked back up after firefighters left the scene destroyed a Palm Bay home early Saturday morning.
Palm Bay fire rescue crews first responded to the house on Natal Street around 1:00 am Saturday.
Eyewitnesses say fire crews put out a fire in the garage of the home and cleared the scene shortly after.
According to the homeowners, the fire flared back up hours later and the home burned down to the ground. Fire rescue crews responded for the second time, but were unable to save the structure.
"How could they leave without making sure the fire was not out?," asked the homeowner.
A spokeswoman with Palm Bay Fire Rescue said the initial fire started in the garage area and was quickly contained by firefighters. She told Eyewitness News that fire crews performed typical procedures to check for hot spots and extensions of the fire throughout the structure. According to officials, nothing was found during this check, and the fire was considered fully extinguished.
Fire crews say all of the occupants of the home were able to escape unharmed and no firefighters were injured during the ordeal.
The family who was left homeless after the fire is being assisted by the Red Cross.
The homeowners told Eyewitness News they are very upset that firefighters did not stay on scene for a fire watch overnight.
Officials say there is an active investigation into the cause of the fire.
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