Four adults and two children escaped a fire Sunday night in Harrison’s Natrona section despite a lack of working smoke detectors in the duplex that burned, according to Hilltop Hose Fire Chief Krzeminski.

“This could have been a tragedy,” Krzeminski said. “If this had happened in the middle of the night, they may not have gotten out unless someone just happened to smell smoke.”

All six residents were home when the fire broke out on the second floor of 69-69½ Chestnut St. and swept through the second floor and attic, Krzeminski said.

Firefighters arrived on the scene just before 8 p.m. and knocked down the fire within a half-hour, Krzeminski said.

No injuries were reported. Four departments assisted Hilltop Hose.

Krzeminski said the fire was a challenge to fight.

“The older home with additions made it hard, and there are a lot of possessions in the house that also made it a challenge,” he said.

It was unclear whether all six people displaced by the fire lived in the same duplex unit or if both units were occupied.

A family member smelled smoke and alerted the other residents, who all got out safely along with their pets, Krzeminski said.

The house is too damaged, especially the second floor, for them to return, according to Krzeminski. The Red Cross was called in to assist them, he said.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation Monday.

Krzeminski said he did not know whether smoke detectors had been installed by the landlord and removed by tenants or if the smoke detectors had been burned so badly there was no sign that they were in the duplex, Krzeminski said.

The property is owed by AK Rehab Inc. in East Deer. Owner Bill Davis didn’t return messages on Monday. Real estate records show the building was constructed in 1900.

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