If you needed any proof that smoke alarms save lives, two Jamberoo residents are lucky to be alive this morning after their alarm woke them up to their house on fire last night.

The blaze started in the early hours of Thursday morning, which set off the fire alarm, waking up the two residents in time to escape with their dog and two pet chicks.

 Thankfully, nobody was injured.

Crews led by Jamberoo RFS worked for around six hours to extinguish the blaze. The fire was contained to one end of the house, which managed to stay upright despite extensive damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though it likely started in a chimney flue on the property.

Jamberoo RFS thanked a number of organisations for their assistance, including Fire and Rescue NSW Station 207 Albion Park, Albion Park Rural Fire Brigade, NSW RFS Calderwood Brigade, Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade and staff from NSW RFS Illawarra, Lake Illawarra Police District & NSW Ambulance.

Now’s the time to check your smoke alarm batteries if you haven’t in a while!