ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 1996 TAG: 9603050040
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
The flashing light of a smoke detector roused a deaf man in time for him to escape a fire that destroyed his Southwest Roanoke apartment early Monday.
Harry Leonard was not injured in the blaze, according to a report by acting District Fire Chief D.A. Bocock.
The fire, which authorities said was brought on by an overheated extension cord that was providing power to a space heater, caused at least $10,000 damage to Leonard's upstairs apartment.
Firefighters were called to 1361 Clarke Ave. at 3:47 a.m. after Leonard, 46, was awakened by the specially equipped smoke detector that emits a flashing light instead of an alarm.
Speaking through an interpreter at the Red Cross, Leonard said he was stirred immediately by the alarm. "He said he's a light sleeper," the interpreter said.
Leonard then knocked on a neighbor's door and had the neighbor call for help. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread to adjacent apartments.
The Red Cross offered Leonard temporary shelter and assistance. By midafternoon Monday, he had found a new home in the same Clarke Avenue complex.
The interpreter said Leonard's "only last concern is he lost his fish tank and his fish," along with a cherished close-captioned television set that he recently bought.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB