MCSO: 2 adults, 3 kids safe after fire destroys home in Wittmann

WITTMANN, Ariz. - At around 4 a.m., this Wittmann home went up in flames.

The flames were so tall, neighbors could spot the fire from miles away.

"I was trying to get close enough to see which one it was, but it was a big poof of fire and a lot of smoke and I could still see as I'm driving up on it," Doug Watkins said. "I could still see stuff protruding through the air."

A family of five, including three children, was living inside the home. Luckily, before the home nearly collapsed, everyone made it out safely.

"I looked out my window and there are just flames," Chris Uhles said. "I could tell it was fully engulfed."

Multiple fire agencies were on scene to get the flames under control, but the fire was just too powerful.

"I figured by how large the flames were that it was probably going to be a total loss," Uhles said.

High winds made battling the flames even more difficult for firefighters. For hours, crews stayed on the scene to put out hot spots.

"When a fire goes up here, it goes up fast," Watkins said.

Thankfully, the fire did not spread to other homes and everyone is OK.

MCSO says the home is a total loss and arson detectives are investigating the fire.