SMITH CO., Tenn. – Fire officials in Smith County say smoke detectors saved the lives of six people after their home caught fire early Sunday morning.
The blaze broke out at the Mimms' Elmwood family home just after 7 a.m.
"We [saw] flames coming out of the roof. Smoke going everywhere, just billowing out the door," fire victim Nancy Mimms explained.
The family of six, including four children ages five to 15 years old, told Nashville's News 2 they are grateful they all made it out of the home unharmed.
"We was all still in the bed, the kids come running out in their underwear and pajamas and yeah, we're very lucky at least you look at the house, everyone got out," Mimms said.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but Mimms said she saw flames below the fuse panel and believes the fire was electrical or the home was hit by lighting.
"I come on down the steps and I seen the flames, they got out and Edward, my husband, went and got the fire extinguisher, but as soon as he sprayed it, it shot up the wall and across the roof," she said.
The family was unable to save many of their belongings and valuables, though firefighters were able to rescue the family's pet goldfish.
"He brought it out to us in a little cup and said, ‘I don't know if you want him, but he is still alive,'" Mimms said, adding, "The neighbors put him in a zip lock baggy [for us]."
The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. The family had lived in the home for two years.
