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AURORA, Colo. — A woman and her dog safely escaped a house fire early Tuesday morning near East Vassar Avenue and East Villanova Place that the Aurora Fire Department says was intentionally set.

The Aurora Fire Department said the fire broke out just after 3 a.m. Neighbors said they heard a loud bang or explosion before the fire started, and huge flames could be seen coming from the home.

“About 20 minutes into the incident, firefighters did what we call an emergency withdrawal  the fire,” said Diane Lord with the Aurora Fire Department. “The fire was so significant and heavy within the structure that firefighters removed themselves from the structure and fought the fire from the exterior.”

Late Tuesday morning, the Aurora Fire Department said the fire was incendiary and investigators were pursuing leads and the origin of the fire. It added the fire was intentionally set and that arson has not been ruled out.

Most of the damage is above the garage as well as a car in a parking space.

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