PHOENIX – Crews battled a suspicious fire that destroyed a north Phoenix home and sent two people to the hospital Thursday morning.
The fire broke out at the house near 38th Street and Thunderbird Road just before 4:15 a.m.
CLICK ON THE SLIDESHOW TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE SCENEPhoenix fire officials said there are reports that there was an argument at the time the fire started at the house and are ruling the incident as suspicious.
There was a large amount of items inside the home, in front of the home, and in the back of the home that acted as fuel and made the fire difficult to fight, according to officials.
"The place was packed with stuff, like furniture and collectables," said Fire Captain Troy Caskey. "That made it harder for firefighters to move around and fight the fire and it added fuel to the flames."
One firefighter reportedly tripped on something inside the house, his mask came off and he breathed in some smoke. He was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. He is expected to be okay.
Video from overhead Air15 showed the fire burned through the roof of the home and there appeared to be extensive damage surrounding the structure.
Fire crews said the house is a total loss.
The homeowner was taken to the hospital for injuries unrelated to the fire. Neighbors told ABC15 he has been battling cancer.
It is unclear what caused the fire, but police arrived on scene to investigate the incident.
