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Smoke detector alerted Marci Castro in time for her to get away from danger. Firefighters prepare to make an internal attack to the house as flames burst through the roof over the garage area. The source of the fire is believed to be the sport utility vehicle that was parked in the garage. Photo/Special.

Home damaged, but mom escapes after alert from smoke detector

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The piercing tone of a smoke alarm startled Marci Castro in her south Fayette home Thursday afternoon.

She wasn’t cooking, and she searched the house for where the smoke was coming from. The culprit was spotted in her garage as she saw the engine compartment of the family SUV in flames.

She called 911 and left the house, but she briefly entertained a quick run back inside to grab one of her daughter’s soccer bags... and decided against it. The two daughters were at school when the fire broke out.

“I literally watched my house go up in smoke,” Castro said as she received support from neighbors who offered to do anything to help. “Everybody has been so nice.”

“She did the right thing,” said Capt. Pete Nelms of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

The source of the fire at 135 Young Circle in the Rebecca Lakes subdivision was believed to be the 2000 Ford Expedition, fire officials said. When firefighters arrived, one-third of the house was already involved in flames.

An early estimate of the damage to the house was $225,000.

As the afternoon wore on, firefighters battled to put out hot spots that developed between the stucco exterior and the home’s insulation. They also struggled to cool off in the hot weather, decked out in turnout gear designed to protect them from heat ... which also happens to trap a fair amount of heat as well.

Over 20 firefighters from the Fayette County and Fayetteville fire departments battled the fire, and local neighbors killed them with kindness, bringing coolers full of cold drinks and snacks.

“It is much appreciated,” Nelms said.