An early morning fire rips through a home in the Lakes Subdivision near Grand Canyon and Lake South.

The good news is, that all seven people sleeping inside, including five children managed to escape the flames.

Action News Anchor, Tiffani Sargent spoke with the family and has more about how they got out with their lives.

One neighbor says it’s a miracle everyone survived and that it’s another reminder of how smoke alarms can save lives.

The renter of the home, Mulu Chekol told her sister to grab the children and run downstairs.

When the fire started, all seven extended family members, immigrants from Ethiopia, were sleeping upstairs, but amazingly they all managed to get out the front door alive.

One of the children says he was very scared, but managed to help make sure that his twin sister, who’s disabled made it out first.

Omega Tsegaye says he’s sad because his cat died but he says he got something back from God. He says he managed to save not only his own life, but also all of his toys.

Meantime, Omega’s younger cousin says he was even more scared and can just remember running as fast as he could down the stairs.

Still, despite losing everything she owns, Mulu Chekol says someone was looking out for them.

While the cause of the fire is still unknown, firefighters say the fire may have started with some electrical wires.

Meantime, a neighbor says a small investment literally saved this family.

Karen Smith says everyone needs to make sure they have working smoke alarms inside their home.

Right now, many generous neighbors like Karen Smith and the American Red Cross are helping the family with food, shelter and clothing.

Unfortunately, the family did not have renter’s insurance.

– ABC 13 Action News (Video)