Firefighter: Home destroyed, but smoke alarm save woman's life west of Grants Pass

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Firfefighters say a working smoke detector saved the life of a woman who fled her burning home late Wednesday night, raised from a nap by the beeping alarm.

Josephine County 9-1-1 sent firefighters to a residential structure fire in the 1900 block of Applegate Avenue, off of Redwood Highway between Grants Pass and Wilderville at 10:46 p.m. The first engine to arrive was from the Wilderville Station and reported heavy smoke and flames showing from the building. Twenty-two firefighters and 7 engines fought the blaze.

A Rural/Metro Fire spokesman reports that the resident, who owns a small business in Grants Pass, took a nap after wrapping presents for her 9 year old daughter who lives on the Oregon coast. She woke up to the sound of a smoke alarm and observed heavy smoke and flame in the living room. She immediately evacuated the home, and ran to nearby neighbors who called 9-1-1. The building appears to be a total loss although some items may be salvaged. Estimated value of the single-story home is about $250,000.

Rural/Metro Lt. Mark Shay said the smoke detector saved the resident's life.