Longview, WA - Officials are crediting a smoke detector with saving the life of a Longview woman late Saturday.
Overloaded electrical wires caused a fire in the attic of a home one the 200 block of 27th Avenue, according to a Longview Fire Department press release.
The owner said her television had "tripped" her surge protector earlier in the evening and she reset it and went to bed. She was awakened by the smoke detector and heard a crackling sound coming from her ceiling and the strong smell of smoke. A neighbor also came over and said flames were visible from the roof.
Fire crews from Longview and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue extinguished the fire in the attic. The fire was difficult to fight because of the confined space and insulation, and items in the attic had to be removed to prevent the fire from rekindling, according to the press release.
Officials estimate the fire caused $10,000 in damage to the home and $2,000 in damage to contents inside.
"Without a doubt the smoke detector alerted the occupant and saved her life," said Battalion Chief Brian Smith. He added that smoke detector batteries should be changed at least once a year and detectors should be tested monthly. |
