MONROE

A child getting ready for bed might have saved the lives of one Monroe family Sunday night.

After the child found that a light would not turn on, the child’s father checked the breaker panel, which had smoke around it.

After searching the house, located at 2210 Goldmine Road, the father found the source of the smoke.

“A fire started in the attic where some combustible items were stored too close to a metal chimney [that was running],” Fire Chief Ron Fowler said.

The family of five was able to escape without injury. It took 18 Monroe firefighters 25 minutes to extinguish the fire, which caused $25,000 in damage to the $110,000 house.

“It displaced the family. The house is currently uninhabitable,” Fowler said.

The Union County American Red Cross provided a motel room for the family, he added.

In crisis situations, the Red Cross meets immediate needs by providing temporary lodging, clothing, food, referrals to other United Way agencies and referrals to counselors, Tim Patton, director of emergency services, said.

Patton could not speak on the specifics of the house fire Sunday.

“We’re certainly thankful they realized there was a fire before they went to bed,” Fowler said.