The Vancouver Fire Department credits working smoke detectors for helping residents escape a house fire without injury Wednesday morning in central Vancouver.
Seventeen firefighters were dispatched at about 5:15 a.m. to 10107 N.E. Fourth St. Four engines, a ladder truck and a battalion chief responded, the agency said in a news release.
The first arriving engine crew found heavy fire coming from the front of the house. They knocked down the fire, then searched the house for possible victims, the news release states.
But due to working smoke detectors, everyone had escaped without injury.
The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes.
The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
“The Vancouver Fire Department would like to thank the neighbor who took the time to change out the (smoke detector) batteries for his neighbor. It made a difference in the outcome,” the agency said.
