They rushed to the bedroom window to see what was red and glowing outside.
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"We opened up her curtain and we could see the house was on fire next door." Martinez said.
The fire department was already there by the time they got outside.
Cell phone video shows flames shooting up above the Martinez's cement wall.
Fresno Fire says initial reports were for an outdoor fire near Fedora and Del Mar Avenue that spread to a home.
There were also reports that people and dogs were possibly trapped inside.
Four people and eight dogs got out safely as crews battled the flames that were engulfing a tree and detached garage in the backyard.
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"Back of the main house where the fire originated took some damage, but firefighters were able to contain it and protect the main house," Fresno Fire Battalion Chief Lupe Fernandez said.
Less than a week ago, 20 new firefighters were sworn in to the department.
Batt. Chief Fernandez says some of those new crew members were on their first shift and made all the difference Tuesday morning.
"They were able to help deploy lines at the same time, when typically we're in a rescue mode, we're focusing on the life priority, we had the personnel to do both at the same time which prevented multiple structures from catching on fire," Batt Chief Fernandez said.
Fire officials say Martinez's tile roof and cement wall also prevented the fire from spreading.
Martinez did lose a storage shed in the backyard. Two windows were damaged from the heat, and tables, chairs, and part of his security system melted.
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But Fresno Fire says without the additional staffing, it could've been worse.
Martinez says he's just glad his house is still standing.
"I just feel fortunate that we're ok," Martinez said.
The fire department said they were connecting the residents of the home with the detached garage with the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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