A Centralia family escaped safely as their home went up in flames early Monday morning. Centralia fire officials say the home occupied by the Jason Ashford family was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. Ashford's wife had woke up and discovered the house was on fire. She got out safely with her husband and two children. Fire officials say the single story home had smoke detectors, but they apparently were not working. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire was so hot, it melted siding on two adjoining homes. All available firemen were called in to help fight the blaze. They report no problems in fighting the fire. Firemen were on the scene for about three hours. The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. They were not able to save anything from the burning home. The house is owned by Steve Castleman Reality of St. Louis and Carbondale. - http://goo.gl/tQTGn
