Pet alerts family to house fire | News

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- A family pet alerted an Orange Park family that their home was on fire early Tuesday morning.

The Orange Park Fire Department responded to the fire around 2:45 Tuesday morning, according to a news release from Chief Ty Silcox with Orange Park Police Department.

Silcox said a family pet alerted residents inside that the triplex structure was on fire, the family then called 911.  There was not a working smoke detector inside the home.

Firefighters initially arriving at the home reported heavy fire.  Estimates are the home sustained $100,000 in damage.  The home is valued at $200,000 Silcox said.

No firefighters and no occupants were injured.

Occupants of the triplex not affected by the fire were not able to return to their homes for several hours due to high levels of carbon monoxide, Silcox said.  The Red Cross is assisting affected residents.

Fire officials reported the fire under control at 3:09 a.m. and completely out at 3:26.

Silcox said the cause of the fire is undetermined but is not considered suspicious.  The Town of Orange Park Fire Marshal's office is investigating.

Fire officials urge every resident to check their smoke detector to ensure they are properly maintained, have fresh batteries and are working in the event of a fire, Silcox said.  A working smoke detector is found in fewer than 50% of all fires involving a fatality.