A deadly fire was narrowly avoided in Midwest early Friday after two residents awoke to the smell of smoke, escaping their home just before flames engulfed the structure. Fire officials believe the blaze, which destroyed the house, started with the improper installation of a pellet stove.
Natrona County Fire District units, along with several other agencies, responded early this morning to the residential fire. The two people inside the house were able to exit before the fire department arrived. The homeowner reported he smelled smoke in the middle of the night and almost went back to sleep. Fire officials later said his decision to investigate likely saved both their lives.
No working smoke detectors were present in the residence, the NCFD said in its news release. The fire is under investigation, but authorities believe the cause was related to the pellet stove and its piping. The fire quickly spread into the attic, where crews faced difficulties fighting hidden flames because the house had multiple layers of roofing from past remodels.
