San Antonio Fire Department: Family and pets rescued thanks to smoke detector

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — It took only minutes to knock down a house fire on the Northwest Side Tuesday morning, but a smoke detector is taking much of the credit for a rapid response that saved lives.

San Antonio firefighters were called before 4 a.m. and they were met by flames on the front and back of the home, but they also got some help from family members living there who were using a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.

But investigators say the family ended up having to run out of the home, which set the stage for one last rescue.

KSAT-TV reports a cat and a turtle remained in the home through the commotion, and firefighters were able to enter the burning home and rescue the pets before it was too late.

A heater in the back of the home is the suspected cause of the fire.

The residents were getting assistance from neighbors as the home has extensive damage.