Fire investigators have identified a person of interest in connection with Friday evening's suspicious house fire on Gobi Lane and are pursuing several leads, according to Las Cruces firefighter Dwayne Kusserow, who is also on temporary assignment with the Prevention Bureau.

Kusserow said because of an on-going investigation, officials are not releasing the names of anyone involved, including possible suspects and the residents of the single-family home.

The fire happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday and was under control in about 15 minutes but Kusserow said officials believe the home may be a total loss.

"Heavy fire damage to the living room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the house," Kusserow said.

Kusserow said officials believe the fire started in the living room.

No one was home at the time of the fire because Kusserow said the four residents were away visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"That's kind of scary that it happened right across the street," Stephen Cruz said.

Cruz told KFOX14 he was home with his 3-year-old son when the fire broke out.

"We saw the fire truck down the street and there was smoke billing from the home," Cruz said.

Cruz said he hopes investigators get to the bottom of the cause of the fire and find out who, if anyone, intentionally started the fire so that other homes on the quiet block won't be victimized next.

"If it's foul play, that doesn't make me feel very good about it," Cruz said.

"Fire is suspicious at this time and there's still an on-going investigation," Kusserow said.