Allentown fire officials are urging people to make sure they have working smoke detectors after one alerted a resident to a fire Wednesday afternoon.
The city fire department said firefighters were called to a house fire about 1:20 p.m. in the 500 block of North Second Street. When they got there, only a small amount of fire was found in a cabinet in the home, and was quickly extinguished.
The department credited the residents’ smoke detector for letting them know there was a problem. They were able to almost completely extinguish the fire using a extinguisher before crews arrived.
“With the holiday season right around the corner, this seemed to be a good example of how to be prepared when things go wrong,” the fire department said in a news release. “So, as you get ready to cook whatever your meal choice is, remember to have working smoke detectors, pay attention to what you’re cooking, and have a phone handy to call 911.”
Fire officials also recommend a fire blanket or baking soda in case of a fire. Calling 911 and getting people out of the home should be a priority, they said.
The cause of Wednesday’s fire is under investigation.