Family escapes house fire

Three homes were destroyed in the fire

HOUSTON – A family barely escaped a fast moving fire that destroyed three houses in the Heights.

Firefighters responded to the fire on East 27th and Cornell at around 1 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters said a family was inside one of the homes that caught on fire.

The homeowner said smoke detectors alerted them to the fire.

The family worked together to help a wheelchair bound relative escape the flames.

Victor Cavazos, the woman's nephew, said, "I was wondering where my aunt was. She is handicapped and is in a wheel chair."

Crews said the fire was so high and hot that they were unable to park their fire trucks in front of the home to access the nearest fire hydrant.

Investigators said the other two houses that were destroyed by the fire were under construction.

The family was able to make it out of the home without any injuries.

Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.