Neighbor, 96, alerts family to fire

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A 96-year-old neighbor alerted a family to a fire at their house Tuesday night.

Portsmouth Fire Department spokeswoman Anna Silva said the fire occurred around 11:30 p.m. on the porch of a house in the 400 block of Beacon Street.

The 96-year-old neighbor went across the street and woke up the family of five. The two adults and three children all got out safely.

Silva said there was some smoke damage, but the fire did not spread to the house.

The power and gas were turned off so the family stayed somewhere else for the night.

Firefighters had the fire under control at 11:47 p.m.

The cause is under investigation.