Eight people safely escaped the flames that consumed their two-family house in New Rochelle Sunday.

The owners of the house and five tenants must seek shelter elsewhere after a 2-alarm fire broke out at 10 Dewitt Place Sunday. The three-story building suffered severe smoke, water and fire damage.

Owner Deborah Fortune says seeing her dream house go up in flames breaks her heart.

The blaze started outside the building, according to fire officials. Deputy Chief Brian Reidy says the fire began in a trash can and spread up the building?s asphalt siding before entering the living space through a third floor window.

Firefighters say the residents are lucky. Fire alarms alerted the residents of the flames and allowed them to evacuate the building without injury. Officials say the home can be rebuilt.