Destroyed Scottsdale mansion was headed for foreclosure

SCOTTSDALE -- Flames lit up the sky Friday morning as a massive fire tore through a Troon North home.

Firefighters from Phoenix and Scottsdale were called out to the multimillion dollar home at 115th Street and Jomax just after 4 a.m.

The single homeowner did make it out safely, but all he could do was watch his home burn to the ground.

The burning home sits against a mountain and there's quite some distance between the homes in that area.

The initial call came in as smoke in the area, but once firefighters arrived on the scene and assessed the situation, more crews were called out. Seven engines, three ladder trucks  and 30 firefighters were on the scene.

The roof of the home collapsed, along with a wall. For most of the morning, firefighters were battling the flames defensively, doing what they call a "surround and drown."

Several homes were evacuated as a precaution, said a Scottsdale Fire Department spokesman. A light wind had kicked up and was blowing embers toward other homes.

More than four hours after the initial call, the biggest flames had been knocked down, but crews were still pouring water on the smoldering home.

Early indications are that the fire started in the attic. While investigators believe they know where the fire started, they're still not sure exactly how it started.

One neighbor described the 8,200-square-foot as a "mini hotel." The home reportedly was on the market in recent months. Firefighters say the home is a total loss. That loss is estimated at nearly $2 million.

There were no injuries.