A charred, gutted home on a small street of foreclosed homes in Spring is more than just an empty dwelling – it’s a sign of a disturbing new pattern in mortgage fraud.

Harris County arson investigators said finding the cause of the fire at the house was easy. 

Explosions rocked the 7,000 square foot building Sunday afternoon when the owner was in the Bahamas. 

The Fire Marshal said there were 25 five-gallon containers of gasoline stashed all over the home that were ignited simultaneously.

The blaze came less than three weeks before $30,000 in property taxes were due.

The owner of the home, Michael Macomber, posted $90,000 bond and was released from custody Monday.

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Investigators say this home was burned as a part of an elaborate mortgage fraud scam.

Investigators said he confessed to everything, for he was the one left holding the bag when a $500,000 mortgage fraud ring unraveled around him. 

The previous owner, Arthur Monroe, was charged with falsely doubling the home’s value, selling it to Macomber and then paying him a kickback.

Macomber’s next door neighbors have also been charged for allegedly helping with the fraudulent transactions.   

Investigators have charged Freda Ariza and her husband, Mark, with engaging in organized criminal activity.

So far, seven people are facing charges for the complex scheme involving multiple homes, mortgage fraud, insurance fraud and fire – something arson investigators said they’re coming across more often than ever.

Federal investigators are getting involved too, because they believe the title company linked to the scheme may have been in on it as well.

Of the seven people charged in connection with the arson, only Michael Macomber had turned himself in Monday.

Police were on the hunt for the rest.