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Family displaced after southwest Austin fire
A family of four is without their home just weeks before Christmas after a fire destroyed it. The fire happened in southwest Austin, and the cause is under investigation.
AUSTIN, Texas - Firefighters say a family of four and their pet escaped a house fire in Southwest Austin thanks to their smoke alarm.
It was early Thursday morning when Austin Fire officials say a father was awoken by the sound of a smoke alarm while in a deep sleep.
"He smelled smoke, went to the back of the structure, looked out of his windows and saw smoke and fire climbing the rear of his residence," said Rachael Lewis, Austin Fire Department Operations Public Information Officer.
The home near Lost Creek and Loop 360 is a total loss.
As for the family of four living inside that home, the father was able to get his wife, two children, and pet dog out of the home before the fire overtook the home thanks to a working smoke alarm.
"It most definitely saved that family's lives," said Lewis.
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It is a lesson Lewis says everyone should learn from.
"We recommend smoke detectors in every house. We recommend them in the room, the rooms that you sleep in. So all the bedrooms outside, all of the bedrooms and on every floor of your home," she said.
On top of that, Lewis says it is important to have an escape plan with those you live with in case of a fire.
"Talk to your family, sit down with them, figure out what is the safest way to get out of your home if there's a fire, what is an alternate way other than that route as well to get out if they see a fire," said Lewis.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Both Austin Fire Department and Westlake Fire Department responded to the scene.