From Staff Reports

A fire last week destroyed a family's house at 2144 Clarkson Road.

The fire was reported to the sheriff's office at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 17. The home of Mark and Charlotte Newman and children was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The Clarkson-Fame, Cumberland and Walthall fire departments responded, with firefighters on the scene for two hours, according to the call report. The house was a total loss.

Family members escaped without harm after a smoke alarm sounded, said Ken Wicha, county fire investigator. Mark Newman was in the hospital at the time because of illness.

"Working smoke detectors saved their lives," Wicha said.

This was the second house fire in the county within a five-day period. Another fire on Oct. 13 destroyed the Stacy Clark residence on Cadaretta Road. Wicha said Friday that the cause of both fires was undetermined as of that time.

Wicha issued a reminder that batteries in smoke detectors should be changed annually and smoke detectors themselves should be replaced every five years.

Other fire tips include:

1. Plan Your Escape From Fire.

2. Keep An Eye On Smokers.

3. Cook Carefully.

4. Give Space Heaters Space.

5. Remember: Matches And Lighters Are Tools, Not Toys.

6. Cool A Burn.

7. Use Electricity Safely.

8. Crawl Low Under Smoke.

9. Stop, Drop And Roll if clothes catch on fire.