DETROIT – David Harris had to come to see the damage for himself.
His three granddaughters ages 10, 12 and 18 were all inside a home that caught fire on Manor Street on Detroit's west side.
Read: 3 children, 1 Detroit firefighter hurt in Monday fire.
"I thank god they are all safe," said Harris.
He says his 10-year-old granddaughter saw smoke in the room where she was sleeping on the first floor.
She knew she couldn't leave the house with her two sisters inside. They were on the second floor.
After she went upstairs to wake them up, the fire spread throughout the house and they had to climb out of this second story window by using a cable on the side of the house to get to safety.
Harris says his ten year old granddaughter is a hero.
"I am looking at it right now," said Harris.
~David Harris is grateful his grandchildren escaped a fire on Manor Street in Detroit~
They kids were all taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, burns and cuts.
But it could have been much worse.
"Just thankful," said Harris .
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A Detroit firefighter was injured fighting the fire and was taken to a hospital.
He's expected to be OK.
The fire remains under investigation.