Chief: Smoke detector likely saved couple's lives during fire

SHELOCTA, Pa. — A smoke detector is credited with waking up a couple before their home was heavily damaged by fire.

The fire was reported just after 7 a.m. at a mobile home on Peterman Hill Road in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County. When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

Elderton Assistant Fire Chief Matt Williamson said the fire started behind a small refrigerator. He said a smoke detector that alerted the couple likely saved their lives.

The chief reminded people that October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to change batteries in smoke detectors and replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.

"This is proof that they definitely save lives. If those people didn't have smoke detectors, this could have gone very differently," Williamson said.

The fire caused major damage to the home, but the couple escaped safely.

"They tried to knock down the fire with a small fire extinguisher and it got too hot, too smoky, so they got out of there and called 911," Williamson said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group