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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Five children are safe after their home went up in flames on Monday.

The children’s mother said the kids were asleep when their father went to a store up the street to get them food for lunch.

“He was just going to get them food because I work and we don’t have another car,” Rosalind Crawford said.

Family members said they received a call about the fire at 4500 block of Willow Road around 9 a.m.

Crawford said a neighbor was able to save all five of the boys, ages 3 to 9.  Unfortunately the family’s dog named Blue didn’t make it out in time.

The family lost everything but said they’re thankful the kids are alive and well.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but family says a 3-year-old found a lighter and lit a mattress on fire.

“It was an accident that could’ve turned into something more serious,”  Crawford said.

The children were checked out by paramedics. They are with another family member right now.

Police said the man who left the children alone was detained, but no charges have been announced.

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