NC police officer wakes family to escape fire

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A police officer on patrol in an eastern North Carolina town spotted a car burning in a carport and awoke a sleeping family so they could escape.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday that Smithfield police Officer W. Thomas Lee banged on the door and windows to wake the family early Monday.

Javier Ramirez, Maria Mejia and their two children escaped through a bedroom window. No one was hurt.

Fire had spread to the house attic and roof when firefighters arrived. Fire Marshal Paul Whitehurst says the fire started in the engine of the family’s car.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)