Eight displaced after North Highlands house fire; smoke alarms saved the sleeping family

Eight people were displaced after a pre-dawn fire at their North Highlands home Thursday, but fire officials say the home’s smoke alarms likely saved the sleeping family.

The blaze broke out about 1:15 a.m. Thursday in the home’s garage in the 4100 block of Painter Way, said Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District officials. Metro Fire crews stopped its spread before the flames reached the home’s living area, though the interior took smoke damage.

The family escaped without injury awakened by the sounding alarms, a valuable lesson as the temperature drops and the holiday season approaches, said Metro Fire officials. The fire is under investigation.

“These middle of the night fires are challenging. People are sleeping and unaware of the danger rapidly developing around them,” said Metro Fire Capt. Parker Wilbourn. “With the increased use of warming appliances, candles and cooking this holiday season, it’s so important to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to give advanced warning to that threat.”

This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 1:21 PM.

Darrell Smith

The Sacramento Bee

916-321-1040

Darrell Smith is a local reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He joined The Bee in 2006 and previously worked at newspapers in Palm Springs, Colorado Springs and Marysville. Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.