Working smoke alarms are getting the credit for helping a Wheatley resident safely escape an early morning house fire.
According to Chatham-Kent Fire, crews from Station 20 in Wheatley were called to the blaze at a home on Elm Street around 1:15 a.m. on Friday.
"Upon arrival smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the structure," said Fire Public Educator Whitney Burk.
Fire on Elm Street in Wheatley on November 18, 2022 (Submitted photo)
As a result of the blaze, crews from an additional fire station from Tilbury were called in to assist. The fire was brought under control quickly and firefighters remained on the scene to perform salvage and overhaul operations.
"Working smoke alarms alerted the resident which allowed them to exit the home safely," said Burk. "There were no injuries reported."
Damage is estimated at $175,000 and the cause is under investigation.
Chatham-Kent Fire continues to offer free CHiRP Home Safety Checks for Chatham-Kent residents where firefighters will visit an individual's home and check that their smoke alarm is working correctly.