A Vicksburg man returned home from a doctor’s visit to find his house engulfed in flames Wednesday.

The home at 2609 Grant St. was consumed by fire about noon while the homeowner was away. Franklin Jackson received a call about the fire as he was leaving a doctor’s appointment.

“I talked to him this morning. He told me he was going to the hospital to have some tests done, and he would talk to me when he got back,” neighbor Zelmarie Neal said.

Neal was at her house when she heard a sound like air pressure being released and when she looked out her window she saw the flames coming out of the roof next door. Even with the close proximity of the two houses, firefighters were able to contain the blaze so no damage was done to her residence.

Firefighters worked extensively to get the fire out, which seemed to be burning hottest at the front of the house. Hoses as well as a large cannon from atop the fire truck were used to control the burn. Deputy Fire Chief Craig Danczyk said they were using the defensive tactic of “surround and drown” to protect nearby homes.

Once the flames were finally extinguished, fire investigators began looking into the cause of the fire. Jackson said he cooked breakfast that morning but made sure to turn off all appliances before leaving the home.

“Right now we have no idea on the cause,” Danczyk said.

This was the fourth afternoon fire call in eight weeks for C shift of the Vicksburg Fire Department, he said. Danzyk, whose job is administrative, even suited up to help put out the fire.

“For whatever reason, they seem to be catching all of the afternoon fires. This shift has been getting pounded,” Danczyk said.

Alston Taylor, only four hours into his first day as a firefighter, was able to contribute to the effort.

“It was nice to help and be involved early,” Taylor said. “I got a story to tell for the rest of my career.”

The city was able to turn off the gas lines and a lineman from Entergy worked to make a repair to the power lines that were cut during the extinguishing effort.

The house was a total loss, Danzyk said.