The Spokane Fire Department is reminding the public about the importance of functioning smoke detectors after crews extinguished a fire in Northeast Spokane early Tuesday morning. SFD responded to a report of a structure fire near East Nebraska Avenue and North Helena Street. The two occupants of the home told fire officials they were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke. While the home did have smoke detectors, they were not in an operable condition at the time of the fire. When crews responded, they reported significant smoke conditions coming from the single family home. The occupants of the home had escaped prior to the engine’s arrival and were in the front yard.