CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A properly operating smoke detector is credited with helping a Clearlake Oaks family save themselves and their home from an early Tuesday morning fire.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown said the fire occurred on Flying Jib Court in Clearlake Oaks just after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

He said the smoke detector activated due to smoke in the family room area. A fire had started on the rear wood deck area and spread to a exterior wall, and the home's occupants reported active flames from the window.

Brown said the home's residents used a fire extinguisher to knock down the fire and called 911.

Northshore Fire Protection District responded with two engines and a duty chief out of the Clearlake Oaks Station, Brown said.

Firefighters with the first arriving engine used their thermal imaging camera and found active fire in the exterior wall. Brown said the firefighters proceeded to use a chain saw and pry bars to open up the wall.

There was damage to the deck area and a section of the exterior wall, Brown said.

The fire is under investigation with the damage estimate around $6,000, according to Brown.

The operating smoke detector in the Flying Jib Court residence saved the family and reduced damage to their home, Brown said.

Brown said the incident is a good reminder of the importance of checking smoke detectors twice a year. The twice-annual time change due to daylight savings is a good time to check.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Google+, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .