FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno home was engulfed in flames after firefighters said an unattended stove ignited the fire Saturday afternoon.

Just after 3 p.m., Fresno Fire says they responded to reports of a structure fire near Cortland and Del Mar avenues, where crews found the whole front of the home in flames.

Despite the front of the home facing the canal, firefighters say they were eventually able to find access to the house and attack the fire. After searching, crews confirmed no one was inside. A dog that was, escaped into the backyard.

Crews extinguished the flames before the fire spread to the two neighboring homes.

Firefighters say a group of boys playing in the area first noticed the fire nearby, ran to open the front door, and yelled to whoever was inside that the home was on fire.

“So, me and my friends were playing at the basketball court over there, until we saw smoke and I thought it was a barbecue,” said Aidan Keo, one of the boys. “I left the game to go check what was happening over here, and I saw the roof was smoking.”

While Fresno Fire says they don’t recommend running towards a fire, they commend the boys for their bravery.

“What if someone was in there, or what if they had a dog, which I was correct. And I was just scared for like who was in there, but I felt brave enough to go open the door and try and check,” Keo said.

Investigators report they believe the fire was the result of a pot on the stove left unattended. The home was deemed a total loss.