Orlando couple escape burning home

Neighbors pound door, break window to alert homeowners

ORLANDO, Fla. – A couple was sent running outside early Tuesday after a fire started to fill their home with smoke.

Wayne Brooks and his wife were awakened around 2:15 a.m. when neighbors broke a window and pounded on the front door of their home on Coe Avenue.

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"The neighbor's wife heard the crackling and saw how bright it was," said Brooks.  "She woke her husband up (and) he's the one that came over and woke us up to get out of the house."

Firefighters said the fire started in the garage, possibly from a lawn mower, and spread quickly when it ignited gasoline cans stored inside.

The couple's garage was destroyed and two cars were badly damaged in the blaze, but firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the rest of the home.

"I'm just glad the Lord got us up and got us out of the house and we're good," said Brooks.

No one was injured in the fire, though the couple's pet cat wasn't immediately located.

Red Cross will be assisting the couple, who do not have insurance.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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