Young Guest Saves Family From House Fire

firefighters knocked out a fire early Friday after a house guest awoke to the smell of smoke, and everyone got safely out of the house. KMOX Radio reported it was a granddaughter of the homeowners who smelled smoke at the residence and woke up other family members.

Here's the report from Monarch Fire Marshal Roger Herin:

Monarch firefighters responded to a house fire at approximately 1:30 a.m. Friday morning in the 19000 block of Ossenfort Court in Wildwood.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the home was successfully evacuated. They found heavy fire coming from a second story bathroom. 

The first-in crews quickly knocked down the main fire, and began the process of overhaul, which is to look for any extension of fire into other areas of the building. The fire had extended into the attic, and was completely extinguished in short order. 

Monarch was assisted by and Boles Fire Protection District.

Herin said credit goes to a young person visiting, who awoke to the smell of smoke even before the smoke alarms sounded, and alerted the other occupants. 

An initial effort to extinguish the fire was made by the occupants while calling the fire department. After the unsuccessful attempt, the occupants quickly escaped and waited for the fire department.

Fire damage was limited to the bathroom, but there was smoke and water damage in adjacent areas, Herin's report indicated.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but is believed to be accidental.

Monarch House No. 2, at 18424 Wildhorse Creek Rd., services Wildwood residents.