**Jose Lozano cries as his dog, Nay-Nay, is returned to him after being stuck inside during the fire. (Photo by Vincent Medina)**

DOWNEY - Jose Lozano’s house erupted in flames Monday afternoon at 13152 Verdura Ave. in Downey.

While the cause of the fire is not determined, Lozano said it started when he left a tarp on his 1970 Toyota Crown station wagon.

“My wife started yelling and I went outside and I grabbed the hose but it was just too big already,” Lozano said.

When the fire started, his neighbors ran out to check on his family and ensure everyone inside escaped the flames.

Eddie Draften, one of Lozano’s neighbors, ran out of his house with his shirt half-buttoned when he saw the smoke.

“I’ve known him since he was 13, and I live right down the street,” Draften said. “My friend called our mutual friend and said there’s a fire at Jose’s, so I got dressed and headed down here.”

Lozano’s wife, two children and parents were able to escape the home. However, one of their dogs, Nay-Nay, was trapped inside.

The family cheered when he was carried out by a police officer, and Lozano cried and held his dog close.

Lozano expressed his gratitude to the Downey Fire Department for their quick response.

George Villanueva, a battalion chief for Downey Fire Department, said fire units reported heavy smoke and multiple vehicles on fire.

“There was some potential for extension into some of the exposures and the south structure,” Villanueva said. “After a sustained amount of heat, they did notice that some smoldering occurred in the eaves. We were able to get hose lines inside and knock it down before it did any major damage.”

Villanueva said crews were dispatched at 12:39 pm and the fire was “knocked down” at 1:13 pm.

Lozano said his next door neighbor was more concerned with her property than his family’s safety.

“She came out of her house and said if her house burned, she was going to sue me,” Lozano said.

Downey family escapes after home catches fire