OKC Family Without Working Smoke Detector Escapes House Fire

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Firefighters said a family of three was able to get to safety after a fire broke out at their home that didn't have a working smoke detector.

Fire crews were called out to a house fire at a home in the 3900 block of South Youngs Boulevard about 3 a.m. Thursday.

Timothy Pauley, who lives in the home, said he woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and saw smoke and flames coming from a linen closet inside his bedroom. He said he grabbed his 2-year-old and 5-year-old children, a few pictures off the wall and ran outside to safety before calling 911.

"Getting my kids out of there was pretty much the only thing on my mind," Pauley said. "I'm alive. My kids are alive. Doing good, I guess."

Pauley is also battling cancer right now.

The home sustained about $35,000 worth of damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Red Cross is assisting the family.