A recent fire at a large Mid-County home is sparking discussion about safety among fire officials. The conversation comes one month after an eight thousand square-foot home in Port Neches burned to the ground, forcing fifty firefighters to battle the blaze.

Fire sprinklers are the idea Mid-County fire officials are talking about for large homes over five thousand square feet - like the ones near Dr. Pradip Morbia's property. Fire officials said the simple water systems could have bought them more time that might have saved the home, and also could have helped in preventing some of the fire damage to the neighborhood.

12 News Reporter Liz McKernan has the story.

Laura Miller got a front row seat to the destruction that took Dr. Morbia's eight thousand square-foot home just a month ago.

"All of the burning embers, all of the smoke - everything in the air just blew right towards our house" said Miller, who lives across the street from the Morbia property.

She knows that when it comes to fire safety, it could take only a few minutes to lose everything.

"In a matter of twenty minutes, your whole house could completely burn to the ground" said Miller.

So Mid-County fire officials are banding together to talk about pushing for new city ordinances on fire sprinkler systems.

"A house that large may not look like its burning a lot, but its really burning - so the system would give us enough time to go up there, find the fire and put it out" said Kelley Moore with the City of Groves Fire Department.

"Its a good idea, I don't think anybody wouldn't want to do it. My only concern would be the price" said Miller.

According to the Texas Fire Sprinklers Association, the cost of installing a sprinkler system for a home under construction runs at about $1.60 per square foot. Installation in an existing home would cost closer to $3.00 per square foot.

But fire officials and city leaders may not have the freedom to enact rules even if they want to. Recently passed Texas Senate Bill 1410 prohibits cities from mandating that homeowners install a sprinkler system.

But the bill is not stopping fire officials from continuing the discussion.

"This could be a lengthy process, it doesn't happen overnight" said Moore.

Assistant Fire Chief Kelley Moore said the Morbia fire opened the eyes of the community to the potential risks of house fires.

"Its also not only for the property owner and saving property - its also for saving lives" said Moore.

"I saw all the firefighters pouring out of the front door right before the floors above collapsed. They were very lucky they got out of there when they did" said Miller.

The Texas State Fire Marshals are planning on fighting SB 1410 that was passed in the last legislative session. Right now the Mid-County Fire Departments are planning on contacting those in charge of fighting the bill to get the fire sprinkler provision rescinded.

As for Dr. Morbia, he said required or not, he plans on installing the sprinkler system when he re-builds his home.