Smoke alarm saves 3 North Carolina sisters in house fire

GASTONIA, NC (AP) — Officials say a working smoke alarm helped saved three children found alone at a North Carolina home that caught fire.

Fire officials say a 14-year-old, a child a little younger, and an infant were at the Gastonia home when a fire started on a stovetop early Wednesday morning. News outlets report the children escaped without injury, but a dog in the home died as a result of the blaze.

Capt. Michael Carpenter with the Gastonia Fire Department says the fact that they were alerted by the smoke detector and able to get out saved their lives.

Officials say the fire did about $15,000 in damage, but the home is still livable. Police and social services are investigating.