The Dayton Fire Department said it was forced to use most of its resources when a house on McClure Avenue went up in flames on Friday.

Neighbors told News Center 7 that they are furious that the fire put the whole block in danger when the flames became very intense.

Fire officials said it took every fire company on Dayton’s east side and a handful of firefighters from West Dayton to put the flames out.

According to neighbors, they have been worried about squatters in the vacant home for months and this was their breaking point.

The fire happened at the intersection of McClure Avenue and McLain Street.

Firefighters arrived and said they found more than 50 percent of the structure engulfed in flames. They also found a neighbor trying to keep the flames from spreading to his home.

Dist. Fire Chief Vincent Wiley said, “We pulled up and the man had a garden hose out. He was doing all he can but a garden hose isn’t going to do anything in a situation like this.”

Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control in about 25 minutes.

Pedro Denny who lives nearby said, “Thank God for these guys. I really appreciate their actions. I really do because these guys are the heroes of the block.”

Heavy smoke filled the block after the flames were put out. Neighbors said they are sure this inferno was not accident.

“It was definitely arson. I means it went up too quick and there hasn’t been anyone int hat place for a long time,” Denny said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.