SHERBURNE – Just after midnight Monday, Danielle and Mike Edwards, along with their two sleeping children, were suddenly awakened by the screeching sound of an electronic alarm and the smell of smoke.

A fire had broken out in the center of the couple’s mobile home and the family called 911, grabbed a handful of belongings and fled into the street.

“This incident was a huge reminder of the importance of smoke detectors,” said Sherburne Fire Chief Patrick Lawrence. “The Edwards’ were awoken by their detectors, enabling themselves and two young children to safely escape without injury.”

The Sherburne Fire Department responded to the residence at 233 Wales Road in the Town of Sherburne at about 12:25 a.m. Tuesday.

More than 25 members from the Sherburne Fire Department responded to the blaze along with mutual aid from the Chenango County Bureau of Fire and the North Norwich and New Berlin Fire Departments. The Smyrna Fire Department stood to cover Sherburne and North Norwich in case of another emergency. 

“The family’s home suffered extensive damage, but many personal items were covered and saved,” said Lawrence.