A Richmond family was displaced Thursday morning after a fire erupted in their South Killarney home.
The structure fire was reported around 9:37 a.m., and smoke and flames were noted by the occupants, according to Richmond Fire Department Public Information Officer Corey Lewis.
When RFD arrived, residents had evacuated their home — the smoking right side of the duplex — but were attempting to rescue pets inside. The unit to the left, Lewis said, was unoccupied.
"Working smoke detectors were what saved their lives," said Lewis, adding the devices alerted the residents who, after hearing the alarm, found the smoke and flames in their home.