LAKE CARMEL

The shrill sound of a smoke detector awakened a Lake Carmel man early Wednesday and authorities said it saved his life.

A blaze broke out at the Robert Sprague residence on Lakeshore Drive around 3:30am, when a wood-burning stove ignited an interior wall in the one story wood frame dwelling.

Sprague, who lives alone, ran from the house and called 911. Lake Carmel FD personnel under the command of Assistant Chief Justyn Lewis arrived a few minutes later, but flames were already shooting through the roof.

Chief Lewis, who initially ordered an interior attack changed his command and decided to have the volunteers fight the blaze from the outside since the building became quickly engulfed in flames.

The chief said the smoke detector averted a calamity: “Without it, Mr. Sprague would have probably succumbed, since he was fast asleep when the blaze broke out. This is a prime example why everyone should have smoke detectors installed in their homes with working batteries.”

Assisting at the scene were members of the Carmel, Kent, and Brewster Fire Departments. The Putnam Lake FD was called in to assist on standby duty.

Chief Lewis said the area has no hydrants so crews had to break through the ice on Lake Carmel in order to establish a water supply that was used to extinguish the inferno.

Crews returned to quarters at 7am before being summoned a second time at 8:15am, when the fire rekindled.

The house was destroyed. No injuries were reported.

—Eric Gross