LaSalle’s fire chief says a working smoke alarm is to thank, after a family escaped a serious house blaze.

Investigators were back on the scene Tuesday, where a fire ripped through a home in the 800 block of River Avenue, Monday.

Fire officials say the family was asleep when their smoke alarm went off around 10:30 p.m. Fire Chief Dave Sutton says this is a perfect example of how effective a working smoke alarm can be.

No injuries are reported and a cause is yet to be determined.

Damage is estimated at $300,000.