Dowagiac Fire Department credits a working smoke detector for saving the lives of a family in an early-morning house fire.

The fire department responded to a report of smoke in the attic of a home, with a smoke detector activating, at 309 W. Wayne St.

The alarm was received at 5:40 a.m. and the first engine arrived on scene at 5:45, reporting smoke coming from the second floor.

As firefighters began to investigate, Capt. Guy Evans reported, fire “erupted” from a second-floor window.

An engine from Indian Lake Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department were called to assist.

EMS personnel from Pride Care/Coloma EMS also assisted at the scene.

The fire was contained to the second floor of the home and was brought under control by 6:05 a.m.

Initial investigation at the scene revealed that the fire originated in an upstairs room, however an exact cause was not determined.

One adult family member and a 3-year-old boy were asleep in an upstairs bedroom adjacent to the room where the fire originated.

The adult was awakened to a smoke detector alerting. He observed smoke in the upstairs hallway and fire in the nearby room.

The man was able to get the 3-year-old and both escaped without injury.

The rest of the family, asleep downstairs, was alerted, too, and escaped without injury.

Evans said fire department investigators credit the working smoke detector and the quick actions of the adult for saving two lives.

Fire crews remained on scene until 9 a.m.

Fire personnel were also assisted at the scene by officers of the Dowagiac Police Department.