Modesto neighbors, deliveryman rescue 3 dogs

A reported explosion engulfed a house in flames Tuesday afternoon in east Modesto.

No one was found in the house on Blue Canyon Drive near Creekside Golf Course, Modesto Fire Battalion Chief Dan Hinshaw said.

Neighbors reported a resident had been working on a Jeep in the garage. That's where fire officials believe the fire began, then quickly spread to the second floor and the roof.

The damage is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Hinshaw said.

Neighbor Johnny Slefo said he, another neighbor and a Federal Express deliveryman broke the sliding glass door and a window in the back of the burning house, yelling to see if anyone was inside. No one responded, but dogs ran out the door.

One report indicated the unidentified FedEx driver entered the house, saw a television was on and began searching for residents before being forced outside by the fire. But fire officials couldn't confirm that Tuesday night. Hinshaw said three dogs escaped the fire but a fourth was unaccounted for.

The blaze did so much damage to the garage that fire officials had to make sure it was stable before fire crews could begin removing debris. Because the garage is believed to be where the fire started, Hinshaw said investigators need to get inside to check the water heater and a gas tank that was removed from the Jeep.

Five engines, two trucks, two battalions and 23 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire. Despite the intensity of the fire, crews prevented damage to neighboring homes. They still were on the scene Tuesday night.

Hinshaw said the occupants of the house were renters and the owner lives in Vallejo.

Scroll down to see dramatic video of the fire.