Smoke detectors alert woman to fire

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Smoke detectors are being credited with saving an Indianapolis woman's life.

Fire broke out in the 6200 block of North Chester Avenue. Just after 4 a.m., a woman said she awoke to the sounds of smoke detectors.

"I was just in bed asleep and I heard the smoke detectors go off and I wasn't sure that's what it was. I just heard something," said Polly Lay, homeowner.

Lay said the smoke was too thick to go downstairs, so she went to her balcony and screamed for help. Fire crews were able to rescue her. She told investigators re-wiring work was being done on her home.

“She said that they had just purchased smoke detectors about a month ago and they actually had batteries in them, but they were not hung on the walls yet,” said Captain Rita Reith of the Indianapolis Fire Department.

October 1 marks the first day of National Fire Prevention Month.

Fire officials want people to be aware of ways to learn about fire safety and prevention. In Thursday morning's case the importance of smoke detectors.

"They were activated and she said that's what woke her and got her out of the house. So she is not hurt. She's okay and it's just a great story that she was able to get out because of the smoke detectors," said Reith.

Shortly after firefighters left the scene, they had to return after flare-ups on the second floor. 24-Hour News 8’s photographers caught the flames coming from an upstairs window.

One firefighter was taken to Methodist Hospital with steam burns to his legs. He's going to be ok.

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused fire. Damage is estimated at $240,000.