Smoke detector saves rural Gravette family

GRAVETTE -- A smoke detector is credited with awakening a rural Gravette family, allowing them to escape from their smoke-filled home about one o'clock in the morning on Dec. 12.

The Gravette fire department responded to a reported structure fire at 20937 Russell Corner Road, west of Gravette.

"Upon arrival, units found smoke in the house but no visible flames were showing," fire chief David Smith said.

He identified Jack and Mandy Hunter as occupants of the home. They and six school-age children escaped without injury. The house was not structurally damaged but its contents suffered severe smoke damage.

"The house had been evacuated prior to the department arrival, and firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to help locate the source of the fire. It was determined to be located in the dryer vent hose, and the fire was extinguished and the hose removed," Smith said.

The ignition source for the fire was determined to be electrical arcing from a nearby furnace, Smith added.

Both Decatur and Maysville Fire Departments responded to the mutual aid alarm and assisted at the scene.

Community on 12/18/2013