A family of six was spared injury this morning when their 11-year-old daughter woke up to smoke and flames apparently caused by a space heater placed 2 inches from the bed she was sleeping in.

Battalion Chief Billy Allen of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department said smoke was so thick from the fire at 119 Monroe Street it cut visibility to zero on the entire block, the only thing visible being the glow from the fire when firefighters arived.

It took firefighters between 10 to 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze, which was reported around 4 :30 this morning and started in the upstairs bedroom where the girl slept.

Upon waking, the child rushed downstairs to tell her family something was wrong but was stricken with panic. When her mother went to investigate she discovered the fire and got the family out of the house.

Davis talks with Red Cross officials.

While none of the family was injured, they did lose their pet cat, Allen said.

Lee Davis had just gotten home from work. “My oldest daughter was the only one sleeping in that room. It could have been a lot worse. I'm just glad I have my family.”

Davis wasn't sure what the family was going to do. Officials with the American Red Cross arrived as firefighters were conducting an investigation and doing cleanup to help the family with arrangements.

Allen said firefighters heard smoke alarms downstairs but the upstairs was so badly burned he couldn't find signs of one.

Firefighters conduct their investigation following the blaze.

Davis said there was no smoke detector upstairs and his daughter most likely awakened from the heat or smoke.

There is no foul play involved, Allen said, and the space heater placed two inches from the bed is believed to be the cause.

The upstairs is considered a total loss, Allen said, and the rest of the house sustained smoke and water damage.