Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are being credited with saving the lives of a Cavendish man and his two young children during an early-morning house fire Monday, according to Vermont state fire investigators.

Firefighters were called to a single-family home at 866 Main St. at about 5:12 a.m. Proctorsville Fire Department crews, assisted by departments from Chester, Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Springfield and Weathersfield, found a fire that could have turned deadly if not for the alarms.

Investigators said the homeowner was awakened by a combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, giving him the crucial seconds needed to get himself and his children out of the house safely. No injuries were reported.

The Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, along with the Division of Fire Safety, responded to determine the origin and cause of the fire. While the investigation is ongoing, officials said the fire is not considered suspicious.

State police and fire officials remind Vermonters that working smoke and CO alarms are among the most effective, life-saving tools in a home, urging residents to test alarms regularly and ensure they are properly installed. More information on home fire safety is available through the Vermont Department of Public Safety.