A house fire can occur at any time. But the danger may be particularly great at this time of year, when home-heating units get the most use.
A blaze destroyed the home of an East Brainerd couple early Monday, but they were fortunately spared because they had taken reasonable precautions and they took the right steps when they realized their home was on fire.
A fire alarm woke the couple, who immediately left the house and called firefighters.
Soon after, there was an explosion -- possibly caused by heated gases -- but firefighters were not injured because they had been ordered out of the home moments earlier.
The cause of the fire wasn't immediately clear, but the couple's actions remind us all of the need to keep fresh batteries in fire alarms and to evacuate burning buildings without hesitation.