A smoke alarm is credited with alerting Lisa Marie Corporon and her children of a fire danger.

The young mother heard the alarm and took two children from her home, where a fire had started in a spare bedroom.

According to an Austin Police Department report, Corporon

told officers,the fire was noticed at 2:08 p.m. Saturday at her residence at 810 12th Ave. SW.

Corporon said a spare bedroom was used by her children, ages 3 and 7, as a playroom. The fire apparently erupted in a wall behind a television set.

When the smoke alarm sounded, the mother and children raced from the home.

When Austin Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene, they discovered smoke and flames billowing from the room.

Extensive damage was reported.

Wind damage reported

Several complaints were received at the Austin-Mower County Law Enforcement Center after strong winds buffeted the area overnight Friday.

The most-often repeated complaint was that political yard signs had been "vandalized" or stolen.

According to an Austin Police Department spokesman, Capt. Curt Rude, the culprit was "Mother Nature."

The winds also were blamed for breaking off a boulevard tree and sending a large branch onto a vehicle parked along the curb.

Doug Reynolds, 1004 6th St. SE, reported a branch fell atop his van, causing roof and side door damage.

Reynolds discovered the damage Saturday morning, according to a police report.

Lee Bonorden can be reached by calling 434-3332 or by e-mailing :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyhearld.com