Authorities working to determine cause of house fire in southeast Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that ripped through a home on Houston's southeast side.

The majority of the damage appeared to be at the rear and the side of the home on the 10000 block of Sagebriar Drive.

One neighbor says he heard two explosions. Michael Lewis was sitting on the porch across the street from the house and says it smelled at first like someone was barbecuing.

Lewis says he called 911 and then ran across the street to kick in the front door. As soon as he got inside, he knew he wasn't going much further.

"I went to the front door. I duck down real, real low. Hollered in. I started to go in but the smoke was so black and dark so i said nah, I'm not gonna go," Lewis said.

The Houston Fire Department had to bring in additional crews to help battle the fire in the heat. Investigators say the fire appears to have started in the attic.

No one was injured. Authorities say the homeowners are out of the area on vacation.