LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — It's a tough start to 2019 for a Land O' Lakes family whose home was badly damaged by a fire early Tuesday morning.
- Fire happened early Tuesday near Wesley Chapel Boulevard
- Neighbor noticed fire, ran to home's front door
- Pasco County Fire Rescue contained blaze
- MORE Pasco County headlines
The blaze started in their garage, destroying everything inside, including two cars.
It happened on Terrawood Loop near Wesley Chapel Boulevard just after 1 a.m.
It could have been worse, but thankfully neighbor Nathan Doucette happened to be outside his home then.
"Saw a glow coming from the garage. Thank goodness the garage was open," Doucette said. "It didn’t look right. As I got a little bit further down the street, I saw smoke. When I got closer, I saw the fire."
He called 911 and ran to the front door trying to get the attention of the homeowner.
"He looked at me like I was odd and I said, 'Sir, 'You've got your car on fire in this garage, you may want to come out.'"
The fire quickly spread to both cars in the garage and then the walls.
It's not clear what caused it yet.
Within minutes of the 911 call, Pasco County Fire Rescue was on scene, able to keep the fire contained to the garage.
The family all got out OK.
"It's just a case of neighbors looking out for neighbors. Just being vigilant for each other," Doucette said.