Man says smoke detector saved his life in overnight Edinburg house fire

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Fire Department is emphasizing the importance of smoke detectors after a resident claimed his detector helped save his life during a house fire.

Fire crews responded to the house fire at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday on the 1600 block of Lemon Street.

Crews discovered the fire originated in the kitchen area and later declared the home a total loss.

Photo courtesy of the Edinburg Fire Department

Photo courtesy of the Edinburg Fire Department

The homeowner, a man in his mid-60s, was able to escape unharmed before crews arrived.

He credited his safe escape to the smoke detectors installed by the Edinburg Fire Department just last month.

"This is why we do what we do," the Edinburg Fire Department said. "Smoke detectors save lives."

The City of Edinburg was supplied with 1,500 smoke detectors and 500 carbon monoxide alarms through the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.

Approximately 95% of the detectors have already been installed free of charge by firefighters throughout homes in Edinburg.

Residents can submit a request for smoke alarm installation online.

The submissions will be reviewed by the Edinburg Fire Department.