Fond du Lac - Christmas could have turned out a lot differently for one family if it wasn't for one 9-year-old.

A fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. this morning near South Park Avenue and 11th Street in Fond du Lac.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the first floor rear door of a two-story wood framed residential style structure. The structure was a duplex with tenants occupying the second floor and the owner occupying the first floor. The upstairs tenants weren't home at the time of the fire.

A 9-year-old was sleeping on the first-floor living room couch when he saw smoke. He quickly alerted his parents of the fire, and all three evacuated safely.

No working smoke detectors were found in the basement or first floor.

“This could have been a disastrous situation if the 9-year-oldd had not awakened,” said Assistant Chief Steve Beer.  “I would consider him a true hero in this situation.”

Fire crews extinguished and contained the fire to the area of origin in the basement.  

The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. 

Fond du Lac Fire / Rescue crews will be canvasing the area to educate individuals on the importance of having working smoke detectors.