LEWISTON — Fire officials say a working smoke detector may have saved the lives of three people who were burned out of their home Wednesday night on Bertrand Court.

At about 10 p.m., fire crews were sent to 2 Bertrand Court, off No Name Pond Road, for a report of a mobile home on fire. When the first responders arrived, they found flames and heavy smoke in a front bedroom.

Lewiston Fire Investigator Paul Ouellette said the family, a couple, an elderly uncle and some pets, were able to escape the burning home after they were alerted by a smoke alarm.

“They were all sleeping at the time,” Ouellette said. “It saved their lives. “You take care of them, change the batteries twice a year and replace them every 10 years and they will take care of you.”

Fire crews were able to knock down the flames, but the front bedroom was burned and the rest of the mobile home sustained heavy smoke damage, officials said. The family was unable to return to the home.

The mobile home was occupied by Guylene Gregoire and Wayne Spiller, along with a family member, Ouellette said. It had not been determined whether the home was a total loss, although the fire inspector described the damage as “extensive.”

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation on Friday.