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Smoke Detector Saves Cleveland County, NC, Boy From Fire

Ashes fell like snowflakes from the roof of a house on Artee Road in Cleveland County, NC.

Neighbors said they are still shaken by what they saw -- a tired little boy fresh from the hospital who escaped a roaring fire.

“It was like wildfire. Orange and red everywhere,” a neighbor said.

The fire was so frightening that it moved many to action. They began taking steps to protect themselves.

“I heard a smoke alarm is what woke him up,” said Jeff McCray.

So McCray went from room to room last night, checking each smoke detector to make sure it works.

The 11-year-old boy saved by the smoke detector sound suffers from severe migraine headaches. Their landlord said that Tuesday his mother decided to take him to the hospital, but leave her 8-year0old daughter behind.

“She asked if we could keep the little girl while she was gone,” Bob Bridges said.

When they returned, the tired 11-year-old laid down on the he couch. His mother started cooking dinner, and then decided to go next door to get her daughter.

He said a couple of minutes later the alarm sounded. The food on the stove had caught fire.

“(The boy) came running out yelling, ‘The house is on fire!’ When I got out here, the kitchen area was complete ablaze,” Bridges said.

The family dog ran deeper into the home and died.

“Maybe he was making sure the children were gone,” Bridges said.

The fire has changed the neighborhood for the better.

“We are getting a new fire extinguisher and we are putting new batteries in our fire alarm,” said Chrissy Davidson.

Neighbors said the family now being helped by Red Cross.