Two residents of Maddox Cove can almost certainly thank the presence of a working smoke detector for saving their lives late last night.

Firefighters were called to a home in the Motion Bay area shortly after 1:00 a.m. and arrived to find smoke coming from the home. Acting Platoon Chief Roger Hounsell, with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, said the two elderly residents had escaped the fire prior to crews’ arrival.

A man had left the home and alerted a next door neighbour, who then assisted in getting a woman outside. They were both treated at the neighbour’s house and taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

Platoon Chief Hounsell said firefighters quickly entered the home in search of both the fire and the family dog, however the pet had succumbed to the smoke.

The fire was located in the basement, and quickly extinguished. A burned armchair was removed from the home and laid on the front lawn.

The home suffered only minor fire and water damage, however there was significant smoke damage throughout.

Pictures and video by Earl Noble