DETROIT --
A fast-moving fire early Monday destroyed a house on the city's southwest side, killing a pregnant woman and three children, Local 4 reported.
Firefighters were called to the scene about 12:45 a.m. and found the home engulfed in flames, according to Detroit Fire Department dispatch.
A man from the home was also taken to an area hospital for treatment. He is in critical condition with burns over 80 percent of his body.
Police said the victims were a 2-year-old boy, 3-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl.
Neighbor Julie Cline told Local 4 that another neighbor, Ron Andrews, kicked in a door at the home and pulled the man out. She said Andrews tried to go back inside for others but the flames were too intense.
"As soon as I closed my eyes I kept seeing the father and I kept hearing the girls screaming," Andrews said.
As Andrews spoke, his lips quivered and he fought back tears as he coughed from the after effects of the smoke.
"We tried to get in there," Andrews said. "They were screaming, and we couldn't get in there."
Cline said the back porch was on fire before the blaze swiftly engulfed the home.
Detroit fire officials said the blaze apparently started by an unattended barbecue grill and there were no working smoke detectors in the house.
IMAGES: Family Killed In FireStay tuned to Local 4 and clickondetroit.com for more information.
