Family escapes fire

A Newport family got safely out of their home Friday morning after smoke detectors alerted them to a heater fire, fire officials said.

Newport Fire Department responded to a structure fire shortly before 8 a.m. at 211 Clayton Drive in the Riverwoods subdivision.

Fire Chief Drummond Figg said the accidental fire started in the heater of the mobile home due to an apparent electrical short.

Smoke detectors woke the family and they were able to get safely out of the home and contact the fire department.

“The thing we’re all thankful for is the homeowners had recently changed the batteries in the smoke detectors, and the smoke detectors did their job,” Figg said. “The wonderful thing about smoke detectors is that they save lives.”

Firefighters from the Newport, Wildwood and Morehead City departments responded and were able to contain the fire to the area of the furnace closet. There was also smoke damage to the mobile home.

The Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary lodging, Figg said.