Children dropped to safety to escape Detroit house fire

11-year-old girl drops 3 younger siblings to waiting neighbors during fire on Cecil Street

DETROIT – Detroit police say investigators are looking into why four young children were home alone when they were forced to be dropped out of a second-story window to escape a fire.

Exclusive video: Children jump to safety from house fire

Neighbors rushed to help the children, ages 4 to 11, Wednesday evening when flames and smoke broke out at a house in the 5200 block of Cecil Street.

"There was black smoke coming out and the tree was on fire in places. And they were screaming the kids. So I called 911," said Sheila Crowell.

The 11-year-old dropped her three younger siblings out of a window before jumping to safety herself. None of the children were seriously hurt.

Sgt. Michael Woody said Child Protective Services has spoken with the children's mother. It was not immediately clear if charges would be issued.

Arson investigators are also looking into what started the fire on the first floor of the house. Preliminarily, it appears garbage was set on fire.