Nelson Fire and Rescue Services are reminding the public of the importance of smoke alarms after a fire broke out in the 400 block of Mill Street early Sunday morning.
Dispatch received the call at 5:48 a.m. from a neighbouring residence who said they saw smoke coming the home.
Firefighters arrived shortly after to find smoke and flames visible. A primary search of the house revealed that the occupants were not home.
"It's not the way you want to wake up in the morning," said the neighbour who called it in.
The neighbour said she had to get up early for work on Sunday morning and if that was not the case, the situation could have been a lot worse. Her cat jumped on the bed before her alarm clock went off and she immediately smelled smoke. The proximity of the houses in the older section of town lines up the 100 year old homes only a couple feet from each other. Though she heard no fire alarms, the neighbour knew it was trouble.
Fire and Rescue believe that the fire originated on the main floor of the house. The home — located across the street from Central School — is a rental property.
Fire damage was contained to the living room with smoke damage throughout the residence.
The fire crews had the blaze struck by 6:41 a.m.
There were no injuries reported in connection to the fire.
A team of investigators from Nelson Fire and Rescue and the Nelson Police Department will be working together to determine the cause of the fire.
Nelson Hydro and BC ambulance were also dispatched immediately to the scene.
Still shaken from the morning's events, the neighbour was planning to spend the day at a friend's house.
"They better have gotten everything out… I don't know if can sleep here tonight," she said.