DETROIT (WWJ) - People who had been living inside a vacant building on the city's east side had to flee overnight after a large fire destroyed their home.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported live from the scene in the area of John R and Nevada on Detroit's east side where firefighters are battling a huge blaze on Montana Street.
"The Detroit Fire Department [is] on the scene," Langton said. "This is a huge two-alarm fire here."
A two-alarm fire describes a situation where firefighters may require assistance from other departments to contain the blaze.
Langton said the fire broke out in an abandoned building, but a number of people were inside when the flames began raging out of control.
"There were a number of squatters that had been living in the upstairs unit of this two-story building," Langton added.
Mike Jones told Langton that he had just moved in to the upstairs unit about a day or two ago ago before the fire forced him out.
"It's not a house, it's not a house," Jones said. "I don't have no roof. I don't have no basement. I don't have no windows, I mean, I'm worse than being homeless now."
It appears anyone inside the building was safely evacuated. As of 8:30 a.m., there were no reports of injuries.
The Detroit Fire Department said the blaze is under control, although the building was deemed a total loss.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown -- an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
No other details were released.