October 7, 2016 (ROANOKE COUNTY)— A Roanoke County homeowner is alive this morning after her house caught on fire while she slept. The woman was asleep Friday morning when her smoke alarm woke her. She realized there was smoke in the house and called 9-1-1.
Roanoke County Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to the 5400 block of Stayman Drive at just after 6 a.m. for a reported structure fire.
The first firefighters on scene reported a single story house with a light haze showing. Fire crews from the Read Mountain and Vinton stations responded along with mutual aid assistance from Botetourt County and Roanoke City crews. The fire was under control in about 20 minutes and contained to one bedroom.
Fire Investigators have determined the fire was sparked by a battery in a lap top computer in a bedroom. Damage estimates are $15,000.
“This is a success story because of the working smoke alarms that sounded and roused the sleeping occupant,” said Fire Marshal Brian Simmons. During Fire Prevention Month especially, the safety team is hoping to spread the word that smoke alarms save lives. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Check the Date,” a reference to the importance of replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. National Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15, 2016, however, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month in Roanoke County and the Fire & Rescue Department is working all month to ramp up fire and life safety education.
