Neighbor saves 7 from house fire in Fresno, authorities say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Seven people are safe after an alert neighbor noticed flames coming from the roof of their house.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m. on Tuesday at a home on 9th Street near Nevada Avenue in Southeast Fresno.

Joey Briseno was just coming home and stepped outside to have a cigarette -- when he saw the flames. Briseno says he knew the family of seven was home and jumped into action.

"I see the flame out of the corner of my eye and I'm like, 'oh no.' So I grab my water hose and I started waving it and I woke the neighbors and I panicked. I ran and I started kicking the door like 'You guys gotta wake up in there. Get those babies out of the house,'" said Joey Briseno, alert neighbor.

"They were all sleeping here tonight. And if it wasn't for this neighbor, this could've been a different outcome. This house is made out of wood. Fire spreads really quick in these types of homes," said Tony Escobedo, Fresno City Fire.

"Thank God that I was awake and got them up and got those babies out of the house. It would be a sad thing to see," said Briseno.

Four adults and three children under the age of six all made it out safely. Fire crews were able to contain the flames to the attic, but the Red Cross is helping the family find a place to stay until repairs are made.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.