April 02--FORT WORTH -- Smoke detectors alerted a family to a dangerous house fire Tuesday afternoon in a neighborhood southeast of downtown Fort Worth, firefighters said.
As a result, a man and his two adult daughters escaped the blaze at their home in the 1200 block of Stella Street, said engineer Tim Hardeman, a Fire Department spokesman.
The house, where the family lived for 30 years, had heavy damage from fire and smoke, Hardeman said in a news release.
"The family indicated they had only recently had the smoke detectors installed, and were thankful they did," Hardeman said.
Firefighters were dispatched at 12:51 p.m.
"When Engine 5 arrived approximately two minutes later, they reported heavy smoke showing from a one-story, single-family residence," Hardeman said. "The father and one of his daughters said they were going about their normal routines when all the smoke detectors started sounding.
"They found a rapidly growing fire near the back area of the residence and were able to get out of the house."
Firefighters took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control, Hardeman said.
An estimated 11 people have been saved by smoke detectors this year in Fort Worth, Hardeman said.
" One recent incident occurred last month (March 24) on East Tucker Street, which is only two blocks away from today's incident," Hardeman said.
However, six people, including two children, have died this year in residences that didn't have smoke detectors, or at least no evidence of them were found in the charred remnants of the homes.
Included were fires in January on Normandy Street (a man) and Market Avenue (a mother and a daughter); in early February on Bolt Street (a mother and a son); and March 22 on Hughes Street (an elderly woman).
"The Fort Worth Fire Department urges all residents to be sure they have at least one working smoke detector at home," Hardeman said.
Residents who can't afford a smoke detector can request one from the Fire Department by calling 817-392-6862. They may also go to a Fire Department web page for more information.
Bill Miller, 817-390-7684 Twitter: @Bill_MillerST
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