Police say domestic call and fire linked

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Some residents on Preston Avenue in Mobile had an early morning wake up call.

"From my understanding they said it was gas. That's what she was telling me it smelled like. She said when it went in, it burst and flames shot up," said one neighbor.

Nothing is left but the outside structure of the home. Before the fire, police and neighbors said there was an argument.

"She went out and came back, and he jumped her. They were fighting in the yard at first then it escalated," said the neighbor.

Police were called to the home for the domestic incident around 4:50 a.m. Authorities said about 30 minutes later, Mobile Fire Rescue was called, and the home was on fire.

Officials said the person inside the home at the time was able to make it out safely. No arrests have been made at this time.

"Not today. We're going to investigate the domestic violence portion of it. The fire department is going to be responsible for the arson portion. At this point, it appears to be both domestic violence and arson," said Cpl. Chris Levy.  

Mobile Fire-Rescue has not released what started the fire.