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Smoke detectors key in saving southeastern Travis home, official says
Update:
Travis County fire marshal’s office investigators have determined that decorative lights left on a dry Christmas tree triggered a fire early this morning fire at a southeastern Travis County home.
The fire caused damage to the home, but a linked smoke detector system was key in staving off further damage or injury to the homeowner, officials said.
“The occupant in the structure was fortunately awoken by working smoke alarms. The occupant was able to escape without injury through a bedroom window,” a statement from the fire marshal’s office said. “This is a staunch reminder of the importance of having working smoke alarms and how they can be the difference between life and death.”
Investigators determined that the fire started at a Christmas tree at the home that had not been watered for several days with lighting still left on, the office said.
The fire marshal’s office wanted to also remind area residents of the importance of continuing to water holiday trees and turning off lights after extended use.
“After Christmas, dried-out trees become a fire danger and should be removed from your home,” the office said.
Earlier:
A linked smoke alarm helped in avoiding a worse outcome from a fire at a southeastern Travis County home early this morning, an official said.
The fire occurred about 3:20 a.m. at the residence at 12061 Von Quintus Road near Texas 130, said Chief Ken Bailey for the Travis County Fire Rescue department, also known as Emergency Service District No. 11.
As the fire burned in one room where a smoke detector was located, it triggered a linked detector near the sleeping homeowner. The man was able to escape through a bedroom window without injury and call 911, Bailey said.
The man’s wife and children were not home at the time of the fire, he said.
“The homeowner was awaken by the smoke alarm. Otherwise, the outcome would not have been the same,” Bailey said. Also, “we are thankful the rest of his family was gone.”
The fire was initially called a two-alarm fire because of extensive smoke, but was downgraded after the first responding crew arrived, Bailey said. The fire was quickly extinguished, and caused $25,000 to $30,000 in damage, which was mostly confined to the interior of the home and contents.
