Sound of glass breaking alerts homeowner and five others including children to raging fire

(WXYZ) - A massive fire that started in a vacant house early Tuesday morning spread to a home next door, forcing six people including several children to escape.

Homeowner Tiffanie Alston says the house on Detroit's east side has been in her family for over 30 years.

Alston lived in the home with her father, a friend and her friend's two children. A third child was visiting at the time of the fire.

Around 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, Alston heard glass breaking and then noticed the fire raging next door in a vacant house.

The fire destroyed Alston's home, but she's just thankful that everyone make it out alive.

Alston suspects arson but fire officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Red Cross is assisting Alston and the others with temporary shelter and other immediate needs.

Alston is removing items from her home that she hopes to be able to salvage before illegal scrapers make their move like she says they have in nearby vacant dwellings.