CRANBERRY TWP — A working smoke detector is being credited with saving two lives when a fire broke out early this morning on Fox Run Road.

William Hepinger and his adult daughter, who had been sleeping, were able to get out safely, along with the family dog, and call for help.

“(The smoke detector) saved their lives,” Chief Brian Kovac of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Chief said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Hepinger’s split-level house at 154 Fox Run Road was badly damaged in the fire about 4:15 a.m.

About 45 firefighters from Cranberry and Adams Fire Bureau, as well as Marshall Township in Allegheny County and Big Knob in Beaver County, were sent to the blaze.

The basement was full of flames when the first firefighters got there.

Investigators did not immediately know what started the fire, however, Kovac said he did not consider it suspicious.

Fire-suppression foam and water doused the basement and worked well to put out the blaze.

“The guys knocked it down pretty quickly,” Kovac said. “They did a great job.

No one was injured.

The upstairs, Kovac said, had heavy smoke and heat damage. He said damage to house and contents would well exceed $100,000. The property is insured.

Hepinger and his daughter were given shelter at a neighbor’s house immediately after the fire.