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Men Rescue Neighbors From Fire At Group Home

DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities say four people are recovering at the hospital after a fire broke out at an assisted living group home on Detroit's west side.

Firefighters received a call around 3:45 a.m. Thursday after flames started spreading through the home, located in the 10000 block of Crocuslawn, just west of I-96 and Livernois Avenue. Seven residents and a caregiver were inside the home at the time.

Caregiver Telitha Jones told WWJ's Mike Campbell that once she realized what was going on, instinct just took over.

"I just couldn't let them be hurt. Not in my hand, my care. I love them and they love me. They're like family, and this is what you do for family," she said.

Willie Johnson, who lives near the home, said he immediately jumped into action after Jones notified him of the fire.

"I said 'Is anybody else in there?' and then the one guy came out, so I pulled him out the window and then brought him and everybody else over here," he said.

Meanwhile, Johnson's brother Dwayne jumped through windows, into the fire, to rescue other neighbors.

"You know, when you see somebody that's in need, somebody that needs help, that's what you do," Dwayne said. "The young lady next door, she was hysterical at first but she made sure everybody got up out of that house."

Four people were taken to the hospital, although their conditions weren't immediately available.

A cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.

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