Early-morning alarm signal saves family from house fire

RANDLES, Mo. -- A smoke alarm costing less than $8 saved five lives in Randles, Mo., early Thursday morning.

Eric and Jerri Keller rushed their three children out of their brick home after waking at 3 a.m. to the beeping of their smoke alarm. They ran next door to the home of Eric's mother, Evelyn Ricketts, to call 911.

The blaze started in the garage and was possibly ignited by an electrical problem, but the official cause is still undetermined, said Delta Fire Department officer John Sachen.

The Delta Fire District was the first to arrive on the scene, assisted by volunteers from Advance, Oran and Perkins fire departments. A total of four pumpers and four tankers were used.

"All the firefighting equipment in the world doesn't add up to the value of the alarms," Sachen said. "One of the things that makes the difference is the inexpensive, practical, working, reliable smoke detector."

Thankful family

Though the home and its contents were mostly destroyed by flames and smoke, the Kellers are simply grateful for the safety of son Gavin, 10, and daughters Erica, 9, and 4-month-old Kailee.

As a keepsake, Gavin has held on to the lifesaving First Alert alarm his parents purchased. The plastic cover is now misshapen from the heat, but Gavin demonstrated it was still functional by pressing the test button.

At first, the family hoped more could be salvaged from the home's contents, but the smoke blackened what flames did not burn. Among ruined appliances, furniture and clothes, they found a few sentimental items that were only slightly singed along the edges.

"Being women, we always try to save a few pictures," Ricketts said of herself and her daughter-in-law. "It turned out much worse than we originally thought it would be."

Eric Keller said he intends to rebuild the home his family has lived in since 1994 with an insurance settlement. State Farm agent Bill Basler said the fire and smoke did an estimated $70,000 in damages to the structure.

"We're not worried about anything," Keller said.

However, Ricketts said help would be appreciated in the way of clothing items for the children or food donations. Welcome clothing items include boys' sizes 10 to 12, girls' sizes 10 to 12, and sizes for a 4-month-old baby. Anyone wishing to help may call her at (573) 794-0047.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160