House fire under scrutiny

Brownsville fire investigators are continuing their investigation into a house fire that left a man injured, several animals dead, and an additional 15 dogs and cats displaced.

An early investigation indicates the fire was "accidental," but authorities are continuing their investigation, Fire Chief Lenny Perez said Monday.

The homeowner was severely burned and transported to the Burn Unit at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. His condition was not immediately known.

The fire happened sometime late Sunday at a residence located at 346 Boise Court in the Rio Del Sol Subdivision, off FM 511, outside Brownsville.

Neighbors believe the home had no running water or electricity and that the homeowner had been using a generator to power the house.

Wanda Casarez said the homeowners banged on the front door of her home asking for help. Casarez’s husband, Jose Luis, who happens to be a Brownsville firefighter, ran to the home to provide assistance until firefighters arrived at the home. Sunday was Jose Luis’ day off.

"He went in there and tried to do as much as he could with the water hose," Wanda said. "He just took off. A fireman off duty is always on duty."

"It is just tragic" what happened, Wanda added.

When firefighters arrived at the scene the found the house engulfed in flames. It’s believed that several of the rescued dogs and cats were inside the home. They were more than likely let loose when the firefighters went inside the home to fight the blaze, said Robert Dippong, supervisor of the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center.

Dippong said animal control officers took control of the animals and that all of them appeared to be cared for.

"All of them look in pretty good condition. They all look like they were well fed," Dippong said, but added it appeared that one needed some medical attention.

The rescued pets will remain in care of BARCC until animal control officers are able to meet with the homeowners to see what they want done with the pets and discuss possible violations.

It is unclear if the animals belonged to the homeowner or if the homeowner was serving as a rescuer or fostering them or picking them up from the street, Dippong said.

It is unknown if charges will be filed against homeowners because of the pet deaths. Any decision will be made after fire investigators finish their investigation, Dippong said.