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Residents Spared In House Fire

News Channel 8 photo by JOHN WINTERROWD

Firefighters on the scene at an early morning house fire in Oldsmar.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2008

OLDSMAR - A smoke detector saved the lives of a couple who were awakened early this morning to find their home engulfed in flames.

Lee K. King, 61, and Julie A. King, 53, heard a smoke alarm about 4 a.m. and escaped from their house at 508 E. Buckingham Ave. E. by using a spiral staircase in the back, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

All other exits were blocked by smoke and flames, authorities said.

Deputies on routine patrol spotted smoke on Buckingham Avenue and when they arrived at the Kings' house, found the couple outside and the home totally engulfed in flames, the sheriff's office said.

The house and three vehicles in the garage are a total loss, authorities said. Damage is estimated at $500,000. The Kings said that they may have lost four cats to the fire.

Firefighters remained at the scene until late morning, unable to go into the home because the structure was unstable, they said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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