Faulty Doorbell Starts Ringing On Its Own In The Dead Of Night. When Couple Finally Wakes Up, There's Smoke Everywhere

A couple in Austin claim a self-ringing doorbell saved them from perishing in a house fire just in the nick of time.

According to KHOU, the East Austin couple, who have yet to be named in the media, were fast asleep when their doorbell suddenly started ringing in the dead of night.

By the time the pair awoke, much of their house was already up in flames, according to fire officials.

Austin firefighters, who are already calling this incident a freak accident, say the couple’s home did not have working fire alarms.

In fact, by the time firefighters even arrived to the scene, the house, which was located on Shenandoah Drive, had actually been slowly smoldering for several hours.

KHOU

"When we first got there, there really wasn't a whole lot to show," Austin Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Portie said.

The fire reportedly started in the attic and somehow did not wake up the couple, who were both in a deep sleep when it started.

Authorities say that at some point, an electrical short ended up activating the doorbell, which began ringing and woke up the couple.

When the pair awoke from their slumber, they immediately started smelling smoke and realized something was wrong.

Once the pair finally understood what was going on, they quickly called for help and ran to safety.

"To my knowledge, I can't think of any fires that I've personally gone on that it was just by chance that the fire was still localized and kept to the size it was and had that shorting," Portie said. "I mean, it's completely a freak accident, but fortunate obviously for a lot of people."

Fortunately, the couple is now staying with friends, who are trying to help out by cleaning up the home.

After this incident, Austin firefighters are warning residents to make sure they always have working smoke alarms, and to call the fire department for a free one if they don’t.

Since this story was shared on Facebook, several commenters seem stunned by the doorbell’s incredible timing.

“Byron Holt commented: “GOD! works in mysterious ways....his ways r nt our ways, his thoughts r nt our ......”

“Angel of God at work. Once saved like that when soldier ants entered my house. Glory to God,” Aromokunola Tope added.

Nomia Brown Mistretta also wrote: “Angels rung that door bell!! A loved one in heaven that was watching over the family.”

This is the second time in the last two months that a doorbell has saved a family from perishing in a house fire.

Back in December, a Corona, California homeowner claimed his video doorbell began ringing in the middle of the night, alerting him to his own house fire.

“I finally opened up my eyes and looked to my right and outside my bedroom window I just saw what looked to be flames," Mike Hernandez, the Corona homeowner, told ABC7 after escaping the fire.

"We took down our smoke detector because we just repainted the entire house, and so without the Ring system in place and me getting these alerts, I probably would not have woken up," he added.