Smoke Detector Credited With Saving House From Fire
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Posted: 1:10 PM Nov 19, 2009
Smoke Detector Credited With Saving House From Fire
Fire crews say a basement dryer caught fire at a Topeka home. The residents weren't home at the time. Fire officials say a neighbor called when they heard a smoke detector going off, likely saving the house from extensive fire damage.
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TOPEKA, Kansas - Fire at a Topeka home serves as an important reminder to keep working smoke detectors in your home.

Shawnee Heights Fire Department was called to a residence in the Montara neighborhood of Topeka about 7:00 a.m. Thursday.

The family wasn't home at the time, but battalion fire chief, Tom Kilmartin, says a neighbor heard the smoke alarm go off and called 911. Crews were able to quickly put the fire out before it spread through the house.

Kilmartin says the alarm could be what saved the home. "It's very important to have your smoke alarms functioning."

Officials say the fire was contained to a basement dryer. They pulled the charred dryer from the home. It still had clothes inside. Kilmartin said officials are investigating what ignited the fire in that dryer.