AUBURN, Wash. — A home in Auburn’s Lakeland Hills neighborhood went up in flames early Monday under circumstances that may be suspicious.
Cellphone video showed flames raging at the home in the 5600 block of Hazel Avenue Southeast.
KIRO 7 News video showed an SUV in the home's garage with a green garden-type hose coming out of its gas tank and into a gas can.
"It looks suspicious, obviously, and that is something our fire investigators will be taking a very close look at," said Kelly Tyson with Valley Regional Fire Authority.
The garage is the only part of the home that appeared to be undamaged by the flames.
The home is a total loss. Firefighters are not yet able to enter the house to look for a cause because it is too dangerous. A contractor is working on shoring up the unstable areas of the home so investigators can safely enter. It is not yet known when that work will be done.
"I could feel the heat from across the street. It was really intense," said neighbor Jim Isom.
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Neighbors say Kevin Holle lives in the home alone, but they haven't seen him for days. It is not known if he was inside the home when the fire broke out or if anyone else is inside.
"The rumor was, they thought he was gone on vacation. But they saw a hose coming out of the gas tank," said neighbor Linnette Artz.
Crime scene tape surrounds the home.