A family was able to escape safely after their home caught on fire in Mount Vernon Wednesday night.

Officials said they got the call around 6:30 p.m. and found flames bursting through every window of the home at the corner of Highland Avenue and East Sandford Boulevard, right along the Mount Vernon and Pelham border.

Around 21 city firefighters worked for hours to put it out and none suffered any injuries, according to officials.

The density of the city's neighborhoods played a major factor in the response because homes are built so closely together that the fire could have easily spread, but according to first responders a quick response prevented that.

"Fast, immediate, effective -- I don't want to use the word aggressive -- but effective fire suppression activities are what made the difference," said Kim Odindo, Mount Vernon Fire Department operations chief.

A next-door neighbor was watching from the street as the home next to hers burned.

"We opened the window at the side of the house and the whole side of the house was on fire and I felt the heat through the window frame," said the neighbor, who didn't want to give her name.

Firefighters remained on the scene into the night on Wednesday to inspect the damage, prevent flair-ups, and assist the family in finding a safe place to stay for the night.

"I just want to give kudos to my commissioner, my chiefs, and my fire department because they are working very hard," said Mount Vernon Mayor Shaywn Patterson-Howard.

The home is a total loss and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.