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Firefighters were called to a home on Wheeler Road just after midnight for an activated fire alarm. While they were en route, the owners called 911 saying that they had a fire on the front porch that they believed to be out.
Firefighters confirmed that a holiday candle was inadvertently left lit on the porch, which ignited holiday decorations near the front door. This resulted in a fire on the front wall that was hot enough to shatter a window and melt materials inside the foyer, fire officials said. Firefighters checked for fire extension, vented smoke from the house and performed overhaul for about an hour.
Fire officials said there is an increase in accidental fires this time of year due to candles and holiday decorations, among other causes.
"However, this was also a great example of adults and a child escaping injury and avoiding a major loss," the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department said. "First, the home was equipped with smoke alarms and a monitored alarm system which sounded, alerted the family, and allowed them to quickly evacuate during the night, while summoning the fire department. Second, the owner had a working fire extinguisher (as seen in photo) which he very capably deployed on the fire from a safe distance and put out the growing fire in a matter of seconds."
No one was injured, and the damage was repairable and isolated to the front entrance area of the home.
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