Authorities Investigate Possible Firebombing On Detroit's East Side

DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities are wondering if a young mother and her family are being targeted after someone threw what appears to be a firebomb through the front of their east side Detroit home.

The incident unfolded around 4 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the 19000 block of Hasse, near Outer Drive between Ryan and Mound roads.

Authorities say some type of object was thrown trough the front window of the home, catching fire.

Mercedes Parish was in a back bedroom with her 4-year-old, 1-year-old and a newborn when the incident happened.

"I was scared," Parish, who was visibly shaken, told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "I seen flames and I was screaming 'Help! Help!' and they came downstairs and they ran with water, buckets of water, and I was just scared. The smoke detectors was going off."

Parish is referring to her Grandmother Deborah Payne and Grandfather Vincent Payne, who she said saved her and her children's lives.

"She's just brave, my hero, she is," said Parish.

The family was able to extinguish the fire before flames spread too far into the house. No one was injured.

Investigators are now trying to determine who is responsible for the attack and a possible motive.

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• Detroit