A family awakened by a big blaze early Sunday morning had to rush to get 20 people out of their Rancho San Diego home.
The blaze occurred in the 2700 block of Willow Glen Drive - starting near one of their vehicles and then spreading to the home.
"Then at 4, I heard this huge explosion," said resident Penny Hauer. "[There were] roaring flames shooting high in the sky.
"We got these kids out - probably it didn't take us 10 minutes. I was so proud of everyone."
Penny Hauer and her husband live with 18 of their adopted children - six are in wheelchairs, six have Down syndrome.
"We chose only to adopt special needs children," said Penny.
They also have three blind Shih Tzus.