GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The Grand Rapids Fire Marshal is crediting a smoke alarm installed through a safety program with saving a family’s life.
It happened earlier this week on the city’s Westside. A small fire ignited by a candle started in a bedroom.
The residents of the home were alerted by the smoke detector and were able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.
The alarm had been installed in the home in 2013 as part of the GRFD’s Residential Safety Assessment Program.
“This proves that working smoke alarms save lives and property,” Grand Rapids Fire Marshal Ric Dokter said. “There were no injuries and the family was not displaced due to the fire.”
The smoke detector was charred by the fire, but continued to operate as designed.
Firefighters replaced the alarm with a new one before they left the home.
The Grand Rapids Fire Department encourages homeowners to sign up for the free Residential Safety Assessment Program, which provides fire safety education and, if needed, fire crews install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in owner-occupied homes at no cost. To schedule a free home safety assessment or alarm installation, call 311 or 616.456.3000. For more information, CLICK HERE.
