A working smoke alarm helped an occupant escape safely from an apartment fire Tuesday afternoon in Manhattan that caused an estimated $40,000 in damage.
According to the Manhattan Fire Department, crews were dispatched just after 4 p.m. to the 900 block of Osage Street, where smoke and flames were coming from a detached garage that had been converted into an apartment.
The occupant was home when the fire started but escaped after being alerted by a smoke alarm. No injuries to people or pets were reported.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control just before 4:45 p.m. A total of six units and 17 personnel responded.
Damage was estimated at $25,000 to the structure and $15,000 to its contents. The apartment is uninhabitable, leaving the occupant temporarily displaced.
The cause remains under investigation, although foul play is not suspected.
Fire officials are reminding residents to regularly test smoke alarms and replace batteries as needed, especially with the upcoming time change this weekend.
