A Village Park family of nine and their five dogs escaped with their lives after fire destroyed their home early yesterday.

Dennis Bustamante Jr. said he and his family were asleep when his 10-year-old son woke up and saw the flames. The boy woke his uncle Rick, who shattered the rear sliding glass door to get everyone out of the burning house safely.

“;My brother saved our lives,”; said Bustamante. “;He's a hero.”;

Kassi Saraos, who lives across from the Bustamantes, said she was watching TV when she heard someone screaming and called 911. She went outside and saw flames shooting from the home.

The fire at 94-681 Kahue Place was reported at 12:08 a.m.

A couple of neighbors grabbed hoses to try to put out the blaze until firefighters arrived. Twenty-five firefighters had the fire under control at 12:44 a.m. and extinguished at 1:21 a.m.

Bustamante said he was overwhelmed by the immediate response from his neighbors who live in his cul de sac as well as those who live three blocks away. “;I thank God we have such good neighbors.”;

Investigators determined an electrical malfunction in a wall outlet started the fire. Damage was estimated at $400,000.

Though they lost everything, family members knew it could have been worse.

“;The loss is nothing compared to what could've been,”; said Bustamante. “;God was watching over us.”;

Five adults and four children lived at the home. The American Red Cross is helping the family with housing arrangements.

Eight people—six family members and two people who helped the family—were taken to the hospital for observation after some were exposed to smoke, said Capt. Terry Seelig, spokesman of the Honolulu Fire Department. There were no injuries.

Though grateful that everyone escaped unharmed, Bustamante was saddened that priceless photos of his late father, Dennis Bustamante Sr., who died in December 2000, were destroyed.

“;It really breaks my heart,”; he said as he choked back tears.